Cargo Plane Skids Into Sea While Landing At Hong Kong Airport, 2 Dead
Following the accident, operations on the northern runway of Hong Kong International Airport, which is one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs, were suspended.
Update: In a statement issued by Emirates, the carrier said: “Emirates confirms that EK9788 which sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong on 20 October 2025 was a cargo aircraft wet leased from, and operated by, ACT Airlines. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 with registration TC-ACF, was not carrying cargo at the time of the incident. All four crew members onboard have been confirmed safe and are receiving medical attention. Emirates extends our 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. The operator, ACT Airlines, along with other stakeholders, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation."
Original copy follows:
A cargo plane arriving from Dubai veered off the runway and plunged into the sea while attempting to land at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday morning, according to the airport authority. Local media reports said two people were killed in the incident.
Photos taken at the scene showed the Boeing 747 freighter, bearing AirACT livery, partially submerged near the airport’s seawall. The aircraft’s nose and tail sections appeared detached, and an emergency slide was seen inflated along the fuselage, news agency Reuters reported.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority confirmed that all four crew members onboard were rescued safely. However, two people inside a ground vehicle believed to have been struck by the plane did not survive, the South China Morning Post reported, citing police sources. Authorities have yet to formally comment on the details of the crash.
Operations Suspended After Crash, 11 Flights Cancelled
Following the accident, operations on the northern runway of Hong Kong International Airport, which is one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs, were suspended. Airport officials said flights would continue using the central and southern runways.
At least 11 cargo flights that were initially scheduled to arrive at the airport on Monday have been cancelled, according to the Airport Authority's website.
The crash occurred around 3:50 AM local time (1950 GMT Sunday), moments after the cargo flight EK9788 touched down.
ACT Airlines, which provides additional freight capacity to global carriers, did not immediately issue a comment outside its regular operating hours.
Hong Kong's Government Flying Service has deployed helicopters above the affected runway, while Fire Services Department vessels also took part in the rescue.
Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 identified the aircraft involved as a 32-year-old Boeing 747 that originally served as a passenger jet before being converted into a freighter.
Top Headlines
