UPDATE: A tragic incident unfolded at Hong Kong International Airport early this morning as a Boeing 747 cargo plane skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea, resulting in the deaths of two security officers. The shocking event occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on October 20, 2023.
Authorities confirm that the cargo plane, landing at the airport, deviated from the North Runway, crashed through fencing, and collided with a security patrol car, pushing it into the water. In a press briefing, Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, executive director for airport operations, stated that the patrol vehicle was on a designated route, safely distanced from the runway, and did not enter the runway area.
The two officers, who had served at the airport for 7 and 12 years respectively, were tragically caught in the collision. One officer was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.
Rescue efforts were swift, with 213 firefighters and emergency personnel dispatched to the scene, utilizing 45 vehicles and ships to manage the situation. Four crew members aboard the cargo plane were rescued and are receiving medical care, according to officials from the fire service department.
Images emerging from the incident depict the cargo plane’s wreckage scattered, with the tail section visibly separated from the fuselage. The aircraft was arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, and there was no cargo on board at the time of the accident, confirmed by Emirates, the airline operating the flight.
As of now, the North Runway remains closed, though the South and Center Runways are operational, and over 1,000 flights scheduled at Hong Kong airport are not affected, according to airport authority officials.
The incident is under investigation, with officials working to uncover the details surrounding this tragic event. The airport authority has stated that they are providing support to the families of the deceased security officers during this difficult time.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.