On Monday, a shocking incident occurred at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs, when a cargo plane veered off the runway during landing and splashed into the sea. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of two ground crew members.
Details of the Accident
The freight Boeing 747 had flown in from the United Arab Emirates. According to the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong, the plane failed to remain on the North Runway after touching down and ended up in the sea. A preliminary report reveals that the aircraft’s four crew members were rescued and taken to the hospital. Sadly, two ground personnel were impacted by the incident and drowned.
The occurrence, which happened around 3:50 a.m. local time, left the aircraft’s front section floating above the water with its tail end detached. The plane had also hit a ground vehicle during the accident, which too plunged into the sea.
Loss of Lives
According to the authorities, a 30-year-old man inside the ground vehicle was pronounced dead at the site of the accident. Another worker, aged 41, tragically died after being rushed to the hospital.
Impact on Airport Operations
In response to the incident, the airport’s north runway was temporarily shut down on Monday, while the other two runways remained in use. A dozen cargo flights were canceled throughout Monday, but passenger flights were not affected.
Investigation Underway
The Transport and Logistics Bureau’s spokesperson expressed grave concerns about the incident and confirmed that the Air Accident Investigation Authority would actively probe into the cause of the mishap. Helicopters from the Government Flying Service and vessels from the Fire Services Department were dispatched to the scene.
Hong Kong’s airport, already one of the busiest globally, commenced operations on its third runway last November after an expansion project costing HK$142 billion ($18 billion) and spanning eight years of construction. This development was aimed at boosting the city’s competitiveness as an aviation hub.
Questions & Answers
What happened at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday?
A cargo plane veered off the north runway during landing and ended up in the sea, resulting in the death of two ground crew members.
What was the impact of the incident on the airport’s operations?
The north runway at the airport was temporarily closed following the incident. Although a dozen cargo flights were canceled throughout Monday, passenger flights operated as usual.
What measures have been taken following the accident?
The Transport and Logistics Bureau has initiated an active investigation into the accident’s cause. Additionally, helicopters from the Government Flying Service and vessels from the Fire Services Department were deployed to the accident site.
