Hong Kong plane crash: Two dead as cargo aircraft skids off runway into sea
At least two people have been killed after a cargo plane skidded off the runway at Hong Kong International Airport and plunged into the sea during landing.
The flight, which was arriving from Dubai, was attempting to land around 3.50am local time when disaster struck. Hong Kong's airport authority reported that the plane veered off the runway during a crash landing.
The plane crashed through fencing and hit a patrol car which was travelling outside of the runway, killing two ground staff, authorities say.
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Paige Ingram
The plane did not send distress signal when it was landing, says Yiu.
He also says that authorities have no further information at this time, as the investigation into how and why the plane crashed is underway.
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The fire services department has now given an update. They say in total, 213 firefighters and first aid officers rushed to the scene, alongside 45 vehicles and ships.
According to the official, fire staff arrived at the scene within two minutes after receiving the report at 03:55 local time.
Paige Ingram
Steven Yiu explained that the plane went off the runway upon landing and "crashed through the fencing".
He added: "Unfortunately an airport security patrol car was there at that time. The aircraft collided with the patrol car and pushed the car into the sea".
Four aircraft crew on board were rescued promptly - there is no updates on their condition or reports of any injuries.
Paige Ingram
During a press conference Steven Yiu Siu-Chung, executive director for airport operations, says the weather was fit for operation at the time the accident occured.
No other flights are affected today, Yiu says.
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The aircraft is more than 30 years old and according to aircraft tracking site Airfleets it took its first flight in 1993.
The plane, a Boeing 747-481 (BDSF), was originally a passenger aircraft that was converted into a freighter. Over the years it has been used by different airlines including Japan's All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Saudi Arabian Airlines (now known as Saudia), Airfleets data shows.
However, this morning it was being operated as Emirates SkyCargo Flight 9788.
Paige Ingram
The north runway is now closed, while the airport sustains its operations with its centre and south runways, according to the airport authority.
Paige Ingram
This is the second ever deadly incident at the current Hong Kong International Airport since it moved from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998.
In August 1999, a China Airlines passenger flight crash landed during a typhoon, killing three people.
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