Two Killed as Cargo Plane Skids Off Runway and Plunges into Sea at Hong Kong Airport

Two people were killed early on Monday morning when a cargo aircraft arriving in Hong Kong collided with a ground vehicle and slid off the runway into the sea, according to local authorities.

The Boeing 747-400 (B744) cargo plane, which had flown in from the United Arab Emirates, reportedly deviated from the North Runway shortly after landing at Hong Kong International Airport, before ditching into coastal waters.

“Preliminary information indicates that the four crew members on board were rescued and taken to hospital, while two ground staff were affected and fell into the sea,”
— Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (CAD) statement

Authorities believe that the aircraft struck a ground vehicle during its landing manoeuvre. The collision caused both the vehicle and parts of the aircraft to end up in the water near the runway’s end.

Emergency response teams were deployed immediately, conducting rescue and recovery operations under challenging pre-dawn conditions.

A 30-year-old man aboard the ground vehicle was declared dead at the scene, while another man, aged 41, succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to hospital, officials confirmed.

The four crew members aboard the cargo plane were safely rescued from the aircraft and transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

Firefighters, divers, and airport rescue teams worked together to contain potential fuel leakage and to secure the aircraft wreckage, while ensuring no environmental hazards emerged in the surrounding waters.

The North Runway was immediately shut down to allow for recovery and investigation efforts. However, the airport’s other two runways remained fully operational, allowing passenger and cargo flights to continue with minimal disruption.

Authorities have initiated a joint investigation involving the Civil Aviation Department, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Police Force to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the fatal collision.

“Safety is our highest priority. The airport authority is cooperating fully with investigators to understand the causes and ensure all operational protocols are reviewed,”
— Hong Kong Airport Authority spokesperson

The tragic incident marks one of the most serious aviation ground accidents in Hong Kong in recent years. Recovery and investigation teams continued operations through Monday to retrieve debris, secure the site, and restore full airport functionality.