Hung Hom building collapses, 2 dead

Firefighters were scouring the remains of an old five-storey residential building in Hung Hom for survivors after it suddenly collapsed on Friday afternoon - in a tragedy which has claimed two lives.
Rescuers have already pulled five people from the rubble of the collapsed 50-year-old building, three men and two women.

Of the five, two people have now been confirmed dead, including a 40-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man.

One person, with serious injuries, was rushed to hospital.

At least four people are still missing; and police are continuing to search the mound of rubble.

Director of Fire Services Gregory Lo Chun-hung said the rescue work was difficult and dangerous.

“Our colleagues, including 20 staff from urban search and rescue teams, are doing their best to get people out as quickly as possible.

“But there are dangers, as the remains of the building itself are not stable. It, and the buildings next to it, might also collapse,” Lo said.

Director of Buildings Au Choi-kai agreed that two old buildings next to the collapsed one were dangerous. “We have to close them immediately and residents are not allowed to enter them,”Au said.

Over 20 nearby residents have already been evacuated, television news reported.

The incident occurred when most of the external wall of the building, at 45 Ma Tau Wai Road, crashed down about 1.43pm, a police spokesman said.

Firefighters and police rushed to the scene about 2pm. Witnesses said the wall had collapsed instantly.

Police closed off the scene and are investigating.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who visited the area on Friday afternoon praised the rescuers.

“Some people are still trapped inside the building and the firemen are doing their best to save them,'' he told reporters.

Tsang said he, and colleagues from the Social Welfare Department and Home Affairs Department, had met with nearby residents.

“Naturally they are frightened, scared, worried. I spoke with them,'' he told reporters.

“Definitely we will look after their accommodation tonight and whatever is needed to ensure they have alternative accommodation and will look after their livelihood.''

He said the building collapse had been a “real tragedy”

“We will do whatever we can to ensure this sort of accident will not happen again.”

The rescue work is expected to continue overnight.

SCMP. Jan 29, 2010.