Two security personnel die after cargo plane collides with patrol car at Hong Kong airport
A cargo plane operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea, killing two airport security officers after striking their patrol car. The Emirates-operated Boeing 747 broke apart upon impact, while all four crew members survived.
- Cargo plane overshot runway and hit patrol car, killing two security staff.
- Boeing 747 broke in half; all four crew members rescued safely.
- Officials confirm clear weather and ongoing investigation into the crash.
HONG KONG: Two airport security officers were killed after a cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea in the early hours of Monday (20 October 2025).
The Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT, was arriving from Dubai around 3:50am local time (19:50 GMT) when it veered off the north runway, according to Hong Kong authorities.
Patrol car struck and pushed into the sea
The aircraft broke through the airport perimeter fence and struck a patrol vehicle stationed beyond the runway, forcing the car into the sea.
The two security personnel inside, aged 30 and 41, were pulled from the water but later died in hospital.
The plane’s fuselage split in two after it came to rest in the water.
Emirates told the BBC that all four crew members on board were rescued and are safe.
The airline confirmed the jet was operating under a wet-lease agreement with Air ACT, meaning the Turkish carrier provided both the aircraft and crew.
Emirates also said there was no cargo on the flight at the time of the crash.
Weather conditions and investigation
Officials said weather conditions were clear and proper landing instructions had been issued to the flight.
No distress call was made prior to the incident.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal investigation as probes continue into the cause of the crash.
Rare fatal incident at Hong Kong Airport
This marks only the second fatal incident at Hong Kong International Airport since its opening in 1998.
The previous occurred in 1999, when a China Airlines flight crash-landed during a typhoon, killing three people.
