URGENT UPDATE: Two security officers have died following a tragic incident involving a cargo plane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport early this morning. The accident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. local time on October 20, 2023, according to officials.
Reports confirm that a Boeing 747 cargo plane, arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport, lost control upon landing and veered into the sea after colliding with an airport security patrol car. The Hong Kong airport authority stated that the patrol vehicle was struck while it was on a designated route, safely outside the runway’s immediate vicinity.
Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, executive director for airport operations, revealed during a press conference that the plane “deviated from the North Runway after landing and ditched into the sea.” The impact pushed the patrol car into the water, leading to the tragic deaths of the two officers—one pronounced dead at the scene and the other at a nearby hospital.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with a total of 213 firefighters and 45 emergency vehicles deployed to the scene. Four crew members aboard the cargo plane were rescued and taken to the hospital but are reported to be safe.
While the north runway remains closed, both the south and center runways are operational, with over 1,000 scheduled flights at the airport expected to proceed without interruption. Images from the crash site depict significant damage, with the plane’s body in pieces, highlighting the severity of the incident.
The airport authority has commenced an investigation into the incident, with officials emphasizing that the patrol vehicle was on a routine security check and did not enter the runway area. The two deceased officers had dedicated seven and twelve years to airport security, underscoring the human cost of this accident.
As details continue to emerge, authorities are urging the public to stay clear of the affected areas while the investigation is ongoing.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
