A fatal plane crash took place in Hong Kong, tragically killing two people after the aircraft plunged into the sea after hitting a ground vehicle – here’s everything we know so far
Tragedy struck at Hong Kong International Airport when a plane skidded off the runway and plunged into the sea. Tragically, two people were killed, while four crew members were rescued by the emergency services.
In a statement about the incident, an Emirates spokesperson said: “Emirates confirms that EK9788 which sustained damage on landing in Hong Kong on 20 October 2025 was a cargo aircraft wet leased from, and operated by, Act Airlines.
“The aircraft is a Boeing 747-400 with registration TC-ACF. Crew are confirmed to be safe and there was no cargo onboard.”
But what exactly happened? Here’s everything we know about the fatal incident so far…
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What happened?
The Emirates flight EK9788, which was arriving from Dubai, was attempting to land at around 3.50am local time on Monday, 20 October, when the horrific incident occurred. Hong Kong’s airport authority reported that the cargo plane veered off course during a crash landing.
The plane crashed through fencing and collided with an airport security patrol car travelling outside of the runway. Sadly, this saw the car pushed into the sea, and two ground members were tragically killed.
Four aircraft crew members had been onboard at the time of the incident and were “quickly” rescued by Fire Service Department.
Steven Yiu, executive director of airport operations at Airport Authority Hong Kong, said in a statement: “Four aircraft crew on board were quickly rescued by Fire Service Department [which] also rescued two security staff from the sea. One was certified dead at the hospital and the other certified dead at the scene.
“We are deeply saddened and extend our deepest condolence. We will provide the family with all necessary support and assistance.”
According to the emergency services department, 213 firefighters and first aid officers rushed to the scene, alongside 45 vehicles and ships. They added that fire staff arrived at the scene within two minutes after receiving the report at 03:55 local time.
Did the pilot request help?
Man Ka-chai, the chief accident and safety investigator for Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority, said officials had not received a request for help from the pilot. He said in a statement that air traffic control directed the flight to land at the airport’s north runway, adding: “We didn’t receive any message requesting help from the pilot.”
What do we know about the plane?
The aircraft is more than 30 years old and took its first flight in 1993, according to aircraft tracking site Airfleets. The plane, a Boeing 747-481 (BDSF), was originally a passenger aircraft that was converted into a freighter.
Over the years it has been utilised by various airlines including Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Saudi Arabian Airlines (now known as Saudia), as per data from Airfleets. However, on the morning of the crash it was being operated as Emirates SkyCargo Flight 9788.
What happens next?
The Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority have issued a statement on their website, confirming an investigation has been launched. It reads: “The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has launched an investigation into an accident involving a B744 cargo aircraft (flight number UAE9788), arriving from Al Maktoum International Airport, United Arab Emirates, deviating from the North Runway after landing and ditched into the sea this morning (October 20).
“It was also found that a ground handling vehicle had fallen into the sea, causing the death of two people on board.
“A spokesperson for the AAIA said that the investigation team is currently collecting data and information, as well as identifying areas for further investigation or lines of inquiry to follow up, with the objective of identifying the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to preventing recurrence.
“The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards.”