Over 100 flights to and from Hong Kong International Airport were disrupted today after a China Eastern Airlines plane skidded off the runway, forcing the Airport Authority to close one of its two runways.
The incident happened at around 11am when China Eastern flight MU765 from Nanjing was landing Hong Kong during a Red Rainstorm, Headline Daily reports. The Red Rainstorm warning signal is hoisted when rain exceeding 50mm an hour is expected to fall over the city.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154819881919615&set=p.10154819881919615&type=3&theater
A witness said on social media that the plane veered of the runway, slid onto the neighboring lawn and stopped suddenly. There were 141 passengers and crew members onboard. Although no one was injured, two passengers who complained they felt unwell were taken to hospital.
The authorities subsequently closed the northern runway until about 12:40pm, when the plane was removed from the runway. Around 50 inbound flights and 59 outbound flights were affected. The Airport Authority said travelers should consult their airlines for updates before heading to the airport.
Hong Kong was hit by the first Black Rainstorm of the year this morning, meaning 70mm of rain per hour was expected to fall over the territory. The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) issued the Amber Rainstorm Warning at about 6:40am, then upgraded it to a Red Rainstorm Warning at 9:15am and a Black Rainstorm Warning at 11:30am. All rainstorm signals were cancelled by 3:02pm, although the Thunderstorm Warning remains in force, and the HKO has warned that river flooding and landslides are still a risk.
