Two people were killed early Monday morning when a cargo aircraft overshot the runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport, in a rare but deadly airport incident.

The accident occurred at approximately 03:50 a.m. local time, when Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 freighter operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines, skidded off the north runway while arriving from Dubai.

According to Steven Yiu, Executive Director for Airport Operations, the aircraft failed to decelerate in time, veered off course, and collided with a security patrol vehicle on the tarmac before both fell into the waters beyond the runway perimeter.

“Tragically, the two individuals in the patrol vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene,” Yiu said in a press briefing. “All four crew members aboard the aircraft are safe and did not sustain injuries.”

Emergency Response and Investigation

Emergency teams were quickly deployed to the site, retrieving the aircraft crew and initiating recovery efforts for the submerged vehicle. The airport temporarily suspended operations on the affected runway but continues to function using its south runway.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on weather conditions, aircraft systems, and human factors. Preliminary reports suggest visibility was low at the time of landing, but officials have not confirmed if it played a direct role.

Background on the Carrier

The aircraft was operated by ACT Airlines, a Turkish cargo carrier that has previously operated under contracts with Emirates SkyCargo. The Boeing 747 involved was primarily used for long-haul freight between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Broader Impact

While cargo operations have resumed with minimal delays, the incident has raised concerns about ground safety protocols and runway overrun prevention systems at one of Asia’s busiest air freight hubs.

The names of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin.