One person is missing after a cargo plane “skidded” off a runway and into the sea at Hong Kong International Airport.
The accident occurred at around 3.50am local time on Monday, according to the airport authority, and involved an aircraft flying from Dubai.
Photos taken after the incident showed a Boeing BA.N 747 cargo aircraft with AirACT branding partially submerged in water near to the airport’s northern runway.
An escape slide had been deployed and the nose and tail sections were separated.
The Airport Authority of Hong Kong told GB News: “The four crew members on board have been rescued and taken to hospital.
“One ground staff member has been rescued while another is still missing.
“The Airport Emergency Centre has been activated.”
It is understood that although the northern runway of the airport has been closed, the south and centre runways remain operational.
The aircraft skidded off the northern runway into the sea
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REUTERS
The ground staff members involved in the accident are believed to have been in a nearby ground vehicle which was struck by the aircraft as it skidded along the runway.
The freighter involved was carrying an Emirates flight number.
A spokesman for the airline told GB News: “Emirates confirms that EK9788 which sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong on October 20 2025 was a cargo aircraft wet leased from, and operated by, Act Airlines.
“Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo on board.”
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The tail of the aircraft was detached and emergency slides had been deployed
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REUTERS
Act Airlines is a Turkish carrier which provides extra cargo capacity to major airlines.
It has been contacted by GB News for a comment on the incident.
According to the flight tracking service FlightRadar24, the aircraft involved was 32 years old and had previously been a passenger plane before it was converted into a freighter.
Hong Kong International Airport was named the busiest cargo airport in the world in 2024, for the 14th time since 2010.
A rescue operation is still underway for missing ground staff members who were involved in the incident
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REUTERS
Throughout the year, the Airport said it handled 4.9 million tonnes of cargo.
At the time, Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong said: “We are proud to be consistently named the world’s busiest cargo airport over the years.
“This is a great demonstration of our commitment in enhancing our cargo services by striving for innovation and seizing opportunities.”
