A Cathay Pacific flight bound for Bangkok became the centre of a major aviation incident on Wednesday after the aircraft collided with obstacles during takeoff at Hong Kong International Airport, forcing an emergency evacuation of all passengers and crew.
The alarming incident occurred around 11pm local time as flight CX596 accelerated down the runway. Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs and seeing sparks before the Airbus A330-300 came to an abrupt halt, having sustained significant damage.
Emergency Response Activated
Airport emergency services immediately rushed to the scene as the crew initiated emergency evacuation procedures. Passengers described moments of panic as the evacuation slides deployed and people scrambled to safety.
"We felt this huge jolt and then heard terrible scraping noises," one shaken passenger told reporters. "The crew were amazing - they kept everyone calm and got us off the plane quickly."
Investigation Underway
Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department has launched a full investigation into the incident. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft may have struck runway lighting or other equipment during its takeoff roll.
Cathay Pacific confirmed the incident in an official statement: "We can confirm that CX596 returned to the stand after an incident during take-off. All passengers and crew have disembarked safely."
Airport Operations Affected
The incident caused significant disruption at one of the world's busiest airports, with the runway temporarily closed while emergency teams assessed the situation and removed the damaged aircraft.
Several flights were delayed or diverted as airport authorities worked to clear the scene and ensure the safety of all operations.
Passenger Welfare
All 288 passengers and 13 crew members were safely evacuated, with medical teams assessing several individuals for minor injuries and shock. The airline has arranged accommodation and support services for affected travellers.
Aviation experts have highlighted the importance of the crew's training and quick response in preventing more serious consequences from the alarming runway incident.
