Two dead after plane slides off runway into sea at international airport

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.

It is believed those dead were ground staff who were knocked into the sea during the incident.

Despite being rescued and both died later in hospital, according to local media including public broadcaster RTHK citing police.

The Airport Authority of Hong Kong confirmed to GB News: "The four crew members on board have been rescued and taken to hospital."

It is understood that although the northern runway of the airport has been closed, the south and centre runways remain operational.

okay 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."

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.

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."