Hong Kong, October 20 (Udaipur Kiran): A Dubai-bound cargo aircraft operated by Emirates (Flight EK9788) crashed early Monday morning at the Hong Kong International Airport, killing two ground staff members. Fortunately, all four crew members on board survived the accident and were rescued safely.
According to airport authorities, the crash occurred around 3:50 a.m. while the Emirates cargo plane was attempting to land on the northern runway. The aircraft reportedly skidded off the runway, collided with a ground service vehicle, and then plunged into the sea.
The South China Morning Post reported that both victims were inside the ground service vehicle at the time of impact. They were pulled out of the sea by rescue teams, but one was pronounced dead at 5:55 a.m., and the other succumbed to injuries at 6:26 a.m. at North Lantau Hospital. The deceased were aged 30 and 41 years, respectively.
The Hong Kong Airport Authority confirmed the incident, stating that the four crew members were sent to the hospital for medical evaluation. The northern runway has been temporarily closed, while the central and southern runways remain operational.
As a result of the crash, 12 cargo flights have been cancelled, including Challenge Airlines’ Flight 5C852 from Tel Aviv, Atlas Air’s Flight 5Y8902 from Anchorage and Los Angeles, and AirBridgeCargo’s Flight RU8409 from Doha.
Authorities clarified that passenger flight operations remain unaffected. A formal press briefing by the Airport Authority is scheduled for 10 a.m.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said the government is deeply concerned about the incident. “Flight safety is our top priority. The Air Accident Investigation Authority will conduct a full investigation into the causes of the crash,” the spokesperson said.
The Transport Department also expressed condolences to the families of the two deceased ground staff, calling the incident a “tragic reminder of the risks faced by aviation personnel.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
