Two people were killed after a cargo plane flying from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea while landing at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, airport authorities said.
The accident happened at around 3:50 am local time (1950 GMT Sunday) and involved a Boeing 747 freighter operated by Turkish cargo carrier AirACT, flying under an Emirates flight number, according to airport officials cited by news agency Reuters.
The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) confirmed that the aircraft overshot the northern runway during landing and ended up partially submerged in the waters near the airport perimeter.
“The northern runway at Hong Kong International Airport is closed following the incident,” the authority said in a statement. “The south and central runways remain in operation.”
Local broadcaster TVB reported that rescue operations were launched immediately. The airport said four crew members on board the plane were rescued, along with one ground staff member, while another person remained unaccounted for in the early hours after the crash.
