A cargo plane has crashed off the runway in Hong Kong, killing two ground staff

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  • A Boeing 747 cargo plane, flight EK9788 from Dubai, skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday and fell into the sea.

  • Two airport ground staff in a patrol car were killed. All four crew members on board survived. The plane landed at 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT) before deviating from its course and colliding with the patrol car.

  • Investigation: The authorities began an investigation into why the plane deviated from its intended path after landing.

A Boeing 747 cargo plane on flight EK9788 from Dubai skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, plummeting into the sea and killing two airport ground staff in a patrol car.

Flight EK 9788, coming from Dubai, landed at approximately 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT), but lost control after landing, collided with an airport patrol vehicle, and ended up in the water. The two people inside the ground vehicle were killed, while the four crew members survived.

Emirates Airlines has confirmed that flight EK 9788, which was damaged while landing in Hong Kong on October 20, 2025, was a cargo aircraft chartered and operated by ACT Airlines.

The airline said the plane, a Boeing 747-400, registered TC-ACF, was not carrying cargo at the time of the accident. An Emirates spokesman said: “All four crew members on board have been confirmed safe and are receiving medical care.” Air Freight WeekAdding:

“Emirates expresses its condolences to the families and colleagues of the two airport employees who lost their lives on the ground. Emirates remains available to support the investigation as needed. ACT Airlines, along with other stakeholders, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.”

A cargo plane has crashed off the runway in Hong Kong, killing two ground staff
A cargo plane has crashed off the runway in Hong Kong, killing two ground staff

ACT Airlines also issued a public statement confirming that the plane veered off the runway for reasons yet to be determined and came to rest near the sea after sustaining damage. The company said that all four crew members were safe, but expressed its deep condolences for the death of two of its ground employees.

“The relevant authorities are conducting an investigation into this tragic incident. ACT Airlines is in close contact with the official teams and continues to cooperate fully with the utmost care,” the airline said in its statement on X (formerly Twitter).

The Hong Kong Airport Authority issued a press release confirming the incident, stating that although the patrol vehicle was traveling on a road outside the perimeter of the fenced runway, the aircraft veered off its normal course, broke through the perimeter fence and collided with the vehicle, which was then pushed into the sea. AAHK stressed that the runway signage and instructions were correctly provided to the aircraft and that standard landing operations were under review in cooperation with the investigation. (AAHK media release dated October 20, 2025).

“AAHK will fully cooperate with the Civil Aviation Administration, Air Accident Investigation Authority, Fire Services Department and Police in the relevant investigations. As the investigation continues, AAHK and relevant authorities will conduct safety assessments before deciding when to reopen the North Runway.”



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