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Asia20 October, 20252 min read

Emirates Cargo Plane Skids Off Hong Kong Runway, Kills Two Airport Security Staff

This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.

Emirates flight EK9788, a Boeing 747 operated by ACT Airlines, skidded off Hong Kong runway into sea. The plane collided with a security patrol vehicle, killing two airport ground staff inside.

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Emirates Cargo Plane Skids Off Hong Kong Runway, Kills Two Airport Security Staff
Image: BBC
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121 outlets told this the same way.

Hong Kong Airport Runway Incident

Multiple outlets report that an Emirates-numbered Boeing 747 freighter operated by Turkey-based ACT/Air ACT overran Hong Kong International Airport’s north runway at about 3:50 a.m. local time. The aircraft struck an airport security patrol vehicle, broke through the fence, and ended up partially in the sea. Two airport security staff in the patrol car died—one at the scene and the other later in hospital—while all four crew members on the plane survived.

“A cargo aircraft operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines skidded off a runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday while landing from Dubai.”
AP News

Several sources stress the flight was arriving from Dubai and was not carrying cargo. Authorities temporarily closed the north runway as rescue teams responded.

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Image: NewsBreak
Reporting for this sectionAP NewsSouth China Morning PostBBCThe GuardianHong Kong Free Press HKFP

747 Crash and Response

Accounts differ on the extent of the 747’s structural damage. Many note the jet broke apart with the nose and tail sections separated and was left partially submerged near the seawall. Emergency response was massive, involving over 200 personnel, vehicles, ships, and a helicopter.

Officials say no distress call was received before the overrun. All four crew members survived, though outlets diverge on whether they were uninjured or suffered minor injuries.

Image from Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
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Airport Weather and Operations

Weather and runway conditions are described inconsistently across reports. Many outlets state conditions were safe or suitable, yet some describe difficult weather at the time.

“The northern runway was temporarily closed for inspections, while other runways remained open.”
WAtoday

The north runway was closed for inspections and recovery, while the airport’s other runways largely continued operating. Reports diverge on the scale of flight disruption, with figures ranging from no broader impact to around a dozen cargo cancellations.

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Dispute Over Vehicle and Plane Incident

Reports conflict on the patrol vehicle’s exact location and the plane’s path relative to the airport perimeter. Several sources emphasize the car was outside the runway fence and in its designated patrol area when it was struck.

Others state the aircraft hit a patrol car on the runway. Many note the aircraft breached the fence before pushing the vehicle into the sea.

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Image: Latest news from Azerbaijan
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Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation

Investigations are underway by Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority. Officials are searching for black boxes and have not ruled out a criminal probe. Some reports highlight the wet-lease arrangement with ACT/Air ACT.

“Authorities are searching for the plane’s black boxes.”
WAtoday

The aircraft’s age and its conversion from passenger to freighter are also noted. Broader industry context is considered in the coverage. Certain outlets include unrelated aviation topics or wider scrutiny of Boeing, reflecting different editorial focuses.

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Image: The Star
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