URGENT UPDATE: A tragic incident at Hong Kong International Airport has left two security officers dead after a cargo plane skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea. The accident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on October 20, 2023, during the landing of a Boeing 747 arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport.
According to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the cargo plane deviated from the North Runway and crashed through airport fencing, colliding with a security patrol vehicle that was positioned safely outside the runway. Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, executive director for airport operations, confirmed at a press conference that the vehicle was on a routine patrol route and did not encroach upon the runway before the collision.
The two officers, who had dedicated 7 and 12 years respectively to airport security, were reported to be in the patrol car when the crash occurred. One officer was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.
Emergency services responded rapidly, deploying 213 firefighters and 45 vehicles to the scene. Four crew members aboard the cargo plane were successfully rescued and transported to a hospital for treatment. Currently, the North Runway remains closed as investigations continue, although the South and Center Runways are operational, assuring that over 1,000 flights scheduled at the airport will not be impacted.
Images from the site show the cargo plane severely damaged, with its tail section detached from the fuselage. Emirates, the airline operating the flight, confirmed that there was no cargo on board at the time of the incident and that the crew members are safe.
As authorities investigate the cause of this catastrophic event, they have emphasized the safety protocols in place. Yiu stated that the patrol vehicle was indeed at a safe distance from the runway, underscoring the need for thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the risks faced by airport personnel every day. Updates will follow as more information becomes available. Readers are urged to stay tuned for ongoing developments on this pressing story.
