UPDATE: A tragic incident at Hong Kong International Airport has claimed the lives of two security officers after a Boeing 747 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.
Authorities confirm that the aircraft, arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport, deviated from the North Runway upon landing, colliding with a security patrol car. The impact pushed the vehicle into the ocean, resulting in the tragic deaths of both officers inside. One was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.
During a press conference, Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, executive director for Hong Kong’s airport operations, stated that the patrol vehicle was stationed “outside the fences” and was on a designated patrol route when the collision occurred. Both officers had dedicated years of service to the airport, with tenures of seven and twelve years, respectively.
The cargo plane, which suffered severe damage, has been shown in photographs with its fuselage in pieces and the tail section completely detached. Fortunately, all four crew members aboard the flight were rescued and are reported to be safe. They received medical attention and are currently hospitalized.
In total, 213 firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed to the scene, utilizing 45 vehicles and ships to manage the situation. As of now, the North Runway remains closed, but operations on the South and Center runways continue unaffected, with over 1,000 flights scheduled to proceed as planned.
Officials from the Hong Kong airport authority have initiated an investigation into the incident. Emirates confirmed in a statement that there was no cargo on board the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The community is mourning the loss of the two security officers, highlighting the human cost of this tragic accident. As investigations are ongoing, updates are expected to follow regarding safety measures and operational changes at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Stay tuned for further developments on this breaking story as authorities work to uncover the details surrounding this devastating incident.
