• A Boeing 747 cargo jet operating flight EK9788 from Dubai skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, plunging into the sea.

• Two airport ground staff in a patrol vehicle were killed; all four crew members on board survived. The aircraft landed at 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT) before veering off course and colliding with the patrol car.

• Investigation: Authorities have launched a probe into why the plane deviated from its intended path after landing.

A Boeing747 cargo jet operating flight EK9788 from Dubai skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, plunging into the sea and killing two airport ground staff in a patrol vehicle.

The flight EK9788 from Dubai landed at about 03:50 local time (19:50 GMT) but lost control after touchdown, collided with an airport patrol vehicle, and ended up in the water. The two people inside the ground-vehicle died, while the four crew members aboard the aircraft survived.

Emirates confirmed that flight EK9788, which sustained damage while landing in Hong Kong on 20 October 2025, was a cargo aircraft wet leased from and operated by ACT Airlines.

The airline said the Boeing 747-400, registered TC-ACF, was not carrying cargo at the time of the incident. “All four crew members onboard have been confirmed safe and are receiving medical attention,” an Emirates spokesperson told Air Cargo Week, adding:

“Emirates extends our condolences to the families and colleagues of the two airport employees who lost their lives on the ground. Emirates remains available to support the investigation as needed. The operator, ACT Airlines, along with other stakeholders, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.”

ACT Airlines also issued a public statement, confirming that the aircraft veered off the runway for reasons not yet determined and came to rest near the sea after sustaining damage. The company said all four crew members were safe but expressed deep condolences over the deaths of two ground staff.

“An investigation into this tragic accident is being conducted by the relevant authorities. ACT Airlines is in close contact with the official teams and continues to fully cooperate with utmost diligence,” the airline said in its statement on X (formerly Twitter).

BASIN AÇIKLAMASI
Uçağımız TC-ACF, Dubai–Hong Kong seferi sırasında iniş sonrası pistten çıktığı kaza hakkında soruşturma sürmektedir.

PRESS STATEMENT
Our aircraft, TC-ACF, veered off the runway after landing during its Dubai–Hong Kong flight, and an investigation into the… pic.twitter.com/ABY1tPaXXz

— AirACT Communication (@AiractC) October 20, 2025

The Airport Authority Hong Kong issued a press release confirming the incident, stating that although the patrol vehicle was travelling on a road outside the fenced runway perimeter, the aircraft turned away from its normal taxiing path, broke through the perimeter fence and struck the vehicle, which was then pushed into the sea. AAHK emphasised that the runway’s signage and instructions had been correctly provided to the aircraft and that standard landing operations were being reviewed in cooperation with the investigation. (AAHK media release 20 October 2025).

“AAHK will fully cooperate with Civil Aviation Department, Air Accident Investigation Authority, Fire Services Department and Police in the relevant investigations. As the investigation is ongoing, AAHK and relevant authorities will conduct safety assessments before deciding on the reopening time of the North Runway.”

❗️🇦🇪🛬🇭🇰 – Fresh video footage has emerged showing the dramatic moment an Air ACT Boeing 747-481 cargo plane, operating as Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788 from Dubai, skidded off the northern runway (07L) and plunged into the sea during landing at Hong Kong International Airport… pic.twitter.com/2wGNXpTgHu

— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) October 20, 2025

A #Boeing 747 cargo jet on flight #EK9788 from Dubai skidded off the north runway at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, plunging into the sea and killing two ground-vehicle occupants.

All four crew aboard were rescued while Hong Kong’s aviation authority is initiating… pic.twitter.com/tbWb9VdkM1

— Bridging News (@BridgingNews_) October 20, 2025

New daylight photos of the AirACT 747-400 show significant damage to the aircraft after veering off the runway while landing in Hong Kong.

An air traffic control recording indicates the cargo plane’s pilot confirmed plans to land on runway 07L where the crash occurred, but he… pic.twitter.com/wAHV0RVGO5

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 20, 2025