Three dead, six injured in Hong Kong tower crane collapse

Three construction workers died and six more were injured after a huge tower crane collapsed in Sau Mau Ping in Hong Kong, according to reports.

The Standard reported that one person died on the spot, one died after being rushed to the hospital, while the third worker was confirmed dead in the evening after being trapped under the wreckage.

The crane, which the Fire Services Department said weighed about 65 tonnes, fell on multiple containers that were used as temporary offices at the construction site.

Hong Kong's Labour Department said they are going to suspend the operations of the three tower cranes in the construction site while an investigation on the fatal workplace incident is taking place.

"The LD immediately deployed staff to the scene upon receiving a report of the accident and is now conducting an investigation to look into its cause," said the LD in a statement.

According to Labour Secretary Chris Sun, they will look into the records issued related to the tower crane operations as part of their probe.

"We have a specific regulation (Factories and Industrial Undertakings [Lifting Appliances and Lifting Gear] Regulations) crafted just to regulate the safety of tower cranes," Sun told reporters. "We are going to look into all the records and certificates issued and signed by recognised persons, so this will form part and parcel of our investigation into this very serious fatal industrial accident."

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Meanwhile, the secretary said the suspension notice on the three tower cranes at the construction will remain until the department says they are safe to resume.

"The notice will be enforced until proof is given to the Labour Department that they are safe to operate again, so there is no time limit to the suspension notice," Sun said. "It all depends on the site operator to prove to us, so that we are satisfied that these cranes can operate again. This is on the timing issue."

Lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung, in a report from The Standard, said that crane collapses are rare in the city, describing the incident as a "major blow" to the industry.

According to Kwok, authorities should identify whether the collapse was because of a design flaw or human error. The lawmaker also called for the findings' publication as soon as possible.