'Plane incident highly concerning'

October 28, 2025

Chief Executive John Lee:

In respect of the incident in which a cargo plane ran into the sea causing two deaths, I am deeply saddened by the passing away of the two security officers in the incident. I extend my deepest condolences and express my profound sympathy to the families. 

I am highly concerned about the incident and have instructed the Transport & Logistics Bureau, the TLB, to co-ordinate and take expedited action. 

First, we will conduct a thorough investigation to find out the cause of the incident. If there are violations of the laws or regulations, we shall hold the responsible persons accountable. 

Second, (we will) provide full assistance to the families to help them go through the difficult time. 

And third, (we will) ensure all operations comply with international civil aviation safety standards, including airport operations, infrastructure and the safety of staff and passengers.

The salvage work was completed last night and the North Runway has reopened. And now the airport is running as usual.

The Government is very concerned about the incident. We have asked the Air Accident Investigation Authority to conduct an in-depth investigation expeditiously.

It will conduct an in-depth analysis of the two retrieved black boxes to find out the sequence of the events. Overseas experts will also participate to ensure a professional, objective and fact-based investigation. 

A preliminary investigation report is expected to be issued within a month. 

Laboratory tests confirmed that all crew members tested negative for alcohol and drugs. Police will further study the findings of the Air Accident Investigation Authority’s enquiry to determine the direction of the police investigation. 

Regarding the aircraft and crew involved, the crew members involved have been staying in Hong Kong since the incident. 

The Turkish authorities have assisted in arranging for representatives of the involved airline company to meet the affected families last Friday. The company expressed condolences to the families and indicated an ex gratia relief payment will be provided.

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive John Lee said today he is highly concerned about the incident at Hong Kong International Airport last week in which a cargo aircraft ditched into the sea, and has instructed the Transport & Logistics Bureau to take expedited action.

Ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, Mr Lee said that in respect of the incident – in which a cargo plane ran into the sea, causing the deaths of two security officers – he is deeply saddened by their passing, and extends his deepest condolences and profoundest sympathies to their families.

Regarding the actions being taken by the Government, the Chief Executive said: “First, we will conduct a thorough investigation to find out the cause of the incident. If there are violations of the laws or regulations, we shall hold the responsible persons accountable.

“Second, we will provide full assistance to the families to help them go through the difficult time.

“And third, we will ensure all operations comply with international civil aviation safety standards, including airport operations, infrastructure and the safety of staff and passengers.”

Mr Lee reported that salvage work was completed last night and that the North Runway has reopened, highlighting that the airport is now running as usual.

The Government has asked the Air Accident Investigation Authority to conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident. It will conduct an analysis of the two retrieved black boxes to determine the sequence of the events. Overseas experts will also participate to ensure a professional, objective and fact-based investigation.

A preliminary investigation report is expected to be issued within a month.

Laboratory tests confirmed that all crew members involved tested negative for alcohol and drugs. Police will also study the findings of the Air Accident Investigation Authority's enquiry to determine the direction of their investigations.

Members of the aircraft’s crew have been staying in Hong Kong since the incident.

Mr Lee added that the Turkish authorities assisted in arranging for representatives of the airline involved to meet affected families last Friday. The company expressed condolences to the families and indicated an ex gratia relief payment will be provided.