A cargo plane arriving from Dubai skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport early Monday, colliding with a ground-service vehicle and killing two workers. The accident took place at approximately 3.53 am when Emirates SkyCargo flight EK9788, operated by Turkish carrier Air ACT, touched down on the north runway 07R after departing from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai, Hong Kong standard reported. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-481 (BDSF) registered TC-ACF, reportedly swerved left during its landing roll before partially submerging into the sea adjacent to the runway. According to sources, the freighter collided with a ground-service vehicle during landing, tearing off one of its wheels and causing substantial damage. Two male staff members in the vehicle were ejected into the sea. Firefighters recovered both men around 5am—the driver was transported unconscious to North Lantau Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, while the passenger died at the scene. The four crew members aboard the freighter were unharmed. Rescue operations continued throughout the morning, with the fire department and marine police deploying vessels and a Flying Service helicopter to search the area. The airport’s north runway remains closed as the investigation is ongoing. Data from flight-tracking website Flightradar24 indicates that EK9788’s landing path abruptly shifted left after touchdown. A Cathay Pacific flight CX851, next in line to land, was compelled to abort its approach and divert to the south runway.
