URGENT UPDATE: A cargo plane has crashed into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport, resulting in the tragic deaths of two security officers. The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on October 20, 2023, as a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft landed and veered off the runway.
The aircraft skidded on landing, collided with a security patrol car, and pushed it into the water, according to a statement from Hong Kong’s civil aviation department. In a press conference, Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, the executive director for airport operations, confirmed that one officer was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to injuries at a hospital.
Both officers had dedicated seven and twelve years to the airport, emphasizing the human toll of this devastating incident. Officials noted that the patrol vehicle was in a designated area and was not on the runway during the crash, raising concerns about safety protocols.
Emergency services reacted swiftly, deploying 213 firefighters and 45 emergency vehicles to the scene. Four crew members onboard the cargo plane were rescued and transported to the hospital, but their condition remains undisclosed.
Photos from the landing site reveal the wreckage of the aircraft, with its tail section separated from the fuselage. The cargo plane had just arrived from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, and it is currently unclear what caused the crash. Hong Kong’s airport authority has launched an investigation into the incident.
Despite the north runway being closed, airport officials assure travelers that operations on the south and center runways continue unaffected, with over 1,000 flights scheduled today.
Emirates, the airline operating the cargo flight, has confirmed that all crew members are safe and stated that there was no cargo on board. Authorities are expected to release further details as the situation develops.
Stay tuned for more updates on this tragic incident as authorities continue their investigation.
