A few days ago, a large cargo plane operated by ACT Airlines under contract for Emirates skidded off the runway during landing at Hong Kong International Airport and crashed into the sea, killing two airport security workers.
The incident occurred around 3:50 a.m. local time, when the Boeing 747-400F, flying empty from Dubai, veered off the runway, broke through the perimeter fence, and dragged a patrol vehicle into the water with it.
Although the plane’s crew escaped unharmed, the scene was devastating: the fuselage split in two, with part of the aircraft submerged. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause, ruling out adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash.
Could this accident serve as a wake-up call about safety at the world’s busiest airports?
Most likely, yes. The tragedy shows that even high-tech facilities are not immune to critical failures and raises urgent questions about flight protocols, maintenance, and the management of cargo operations at key global hubs.