Incident Overview

In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through the construction community, authorities in Hong Kong are currently investigating a scaffolding collapse at a construction site in Kai Tak that resulted in injuries to 11 workers, with one person in critical condition. This incident unfolded on Monday at the site of the new Acute Hospital, specifically where the tumor center is under construction.

Details of the Collapse

The alarming event was reported to the police around 4 PM when a large bamboo scaffold, approximately 20 meters by 60 meters in size, suddenly gave way. Among those injured were seven men and four women, with one female worker precariously trapped in mid-air. Fortunately, emergency responders were able to rescue her after about an hour of intense effort, thanks to the swift action of 65 firefighters and paramedics who arrived on the scene with 14 fire trucks.

Response and Aftermath

In the aftermath of the incident, the injured workers were promptly transported to United Christian Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital for medical attention. As of Tuesday, the Hospital Authority reported that five individuals had been discharged, five were in stable condition, while one remains in critical condition.

Official Reactions

Chris Sun, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, expressed his deep sympathy for the injured in a social media post and informed that the Labour Department has mobilized inspection teams to the site, issuing suspension notices to the contractors involved. The contractor for the project, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong), has halted all scaffolding work as investigations continue.

Previous Incidents

This tragic occurrence is not an isolated incident, as it follows a previous scaffolding collapse involving the same construction firm in Lok Ma Chau in September, which resulted in injuries to five workers. The Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims voiced their concerns over the contractor's safety practices, urging them to reassess their safety measures immediately.

Construction Background

The construction of the New Acute Hospital began back in 2018 and is scheduled for completion next year, with plans to make it one of the largest hospitals in the city. This incident raises significant questions about the safety standards and oversight in Hong Kong's construction industry.

Historical Context

In November of last year, a separate tragic incident occurred when a worker fell to his death while dismantling scaffolding in To Kwa Wan. Following this, the Labour Department revised the Code of Practice for Bamboo Scaffolding Safety, implementing stricter regulations against unauthorized alterations and enhancing worker supervision.

Conclusion

As this investigation unfolds, many will be watching closely to see what measures are introduced to prevent more tragedies in the future. Will this prompt a long-overdue revolution in construction safety standards in the region? Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge!