 "Rescue workers approach a cargo aircraft that skidded off a Hong Kong runway on Monday. Image Credit: AP")
Boeing 747 aircraft slid off a Hong Kong runway into the sea early Monday resulting in the collision with a security patrol car, killing two people as reported by the authorities.
The cargo aircraft was landing at Hong Kong International Airport after its arrival from Dubai, United Arab Emirates around 3:50 AM. It collided with a security patrol car and went off the runway.
According to AP, the captains did not seek help before landing and had taxied about halfway down the runway before skidding off to the left, Steven Yiu, the airport authority’s executive director in airport operations, said during a press conference.
The aircraft Boeing 747, owned by Turkey-based ACT Airlines rushed into the patrol car and crashed parts of it. A fire services official, Yiu Men-yeung said “When rescue crews arrived, the plane was broken into two parts, floating in the sea, and the four crew members were waiting to be rescued at its open door.”
After review and resume efforts, the senior assistant chief ambulance officer of the fire services department, informed that the crew members had no apparent injuries.
Rescuers dove into the sea and found the two security workers trapped in the car after a 40-minute search, Yiu Men-yeung said.
The images appeared showing the aircraft partially submerged in the sea. The front half of the aircraft was visible with the tail broken off. The security and relief personnel were visible in the image as assisting the rescue process. The runway is instructed to remain closed while the other two runways at the airport continue to operate.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe airport authority’s executive director said that the flights will be unaffected in the area with no further delays. The operation of the incident will be underway with the data accumulated in the cockpit voice recorder.
The aircraft was 32 years old as informed by Flightradar24. Yiu said that all necessary assistance will be provided to support the family of the two staff who died and worked at the airport.