Two dead as cargo plane skids off runway into sea in HKSAR

October 20, 2025 / 9:58 AM

Sharjah24-AFP: A cargo plane arriving from Dubai veered off the runway during landing in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) early Monday, striking a security patrol car before skidding into the sea, authorities confirmed. Two men in the vehicle were killed; one was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other died later in the hospital.

Officials said the Boeing 747 freighter had no cargo onboard. The plane’s fuselage was partly submerged in seawater, with its emergency evacuation slide deployed, marking one of the most serious incidents since the airport began operations in 1998.

Vehicle was not on runway

Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at the Airport Authority, clarified that the patrol car was outside the runway fence when the accident occurred. “It was the aircraft that veered off the runway to hit the patrol car, which was outside the fence,” Yiu said, noting that the vehicle was pushed into the sea by the impact.

Divers rescued both victims from the sunken car, about five metres (16 feet) from the shore. The crash happened around 4:00 am local time (2000 GMT Sunday).

Safe conditions and no emergency signal

You confirmed that weather and runway conditions were normal at the time of the landing. A preliminary diagram released by officials showed the aircraft suddenly turning left halfway down the runway. The plane did not issue a distress signal or respond to radio calls from air traffic control during the incident.

The airport’s north runway was temporarily closed following the crash, but the other two runways remained open. Authorities stated that flight operations were largely unaffected.

Investigation underway

The Transport and Logistics Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed “deep concern” over the incident, confirming that the Air Accident Investigation Authority has launched a full inquiry to establish the cause. Police also said they are considering the possibility of a criminal investigation.

Helicopters and rescue vessels from the Government Flying Service and Fire Services Department were dispatched to the crash site.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs, opened its third runway in November 2024 following an HK$142 billion (US$18 billion) expansion project designed to strengthen its position as a global aviation centre.