Early Monday morning, a Boeing 747 cargo plane landing at Hong Kong International Airport went off the runway. The plane struck a fence and a security patrol vehicle, resulting in two fatalities. The crash is considered one of the most serious at the airport since its 1998 opening.

Crash Details

Steven Yiu, CEO of Hong Kong Airport Authority, said the plane, arriving from Dubai, landed just before 4:00 a.m. The aircraft left the north runway, hit a fence, and collided with a patrol vehicle, sending both into the surrounding seawater.

Authorities confirmed that a 30-year-old man in the patrol vehicle died at the scene, and a 41-year-old man passed away after being taken to the hospital. Both were recovered by divers roughly five meters from the shore.

Footage from the site shows the aircraft’s tail detached, damage beneath the cockpit, and the emergency evacuation slide deployed.

Aircraft and Crew

The plane involved in the crash was leased by Emirates from Turkish cargo carrier ACT Airlines. Four crew members on board were sent to local hospitals for medical treatment.

Investigation and Safety Measures

Yiu said a full investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the runway excursion. Authorities noted that weather and runway conditions were safe at the time, and the aircraft did not send any emergency signals. Hong Kong police have not ruled out the possibility of a criminal investigation.