2 Hong Kong MTR trains collide, both drivers hospitalized

兩輛港鐵相撞，兩司機住院治療

2 Hong Kong MTR trains collide during trial run, both drivers hospitalized


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Two Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR) trains collided this morning during a trial, leaving both drivers hospitalized and a section of the Tsuen Wan line shut down, reported HKFP.

At 2:57 a.m. this morning, two Hong Kong MTR trains collided, resulting in extensive damage to the two trains and cancellation of operations on a section of the network. One driver suffered a leg injury, while the other sought treatment after inhaling smoke.

Photos released by the MTR show the front of one of the trains titled to one side and the interiors of the trains badly mangled. The extent of the damage, including overturned seats and smashed windows, indicates that many more injuries could have occurred had passengers been aboard at the time of the collision.


Interior of one of the trains. (Image from MTR Corp)

As the collision occurred during a trial run, no passengers were aboard either train. After the accident, a spokesman for MTR told HKFP, "Today there will not be train service between Central and Admiralty on the Tsuen Wan Line. We will be deploying many staff at Central station to help passengers."

During a press conference, Operations Director Adi Lau said that the collision occurred during testing of a new signaling system. Commuters have been advised to take the Island Line to transit between Central and Admiralty.

Lau said that the two trains had collided when they merged onto the same track. Lau said that the collision was suspected to have been caused by a temporary malfunction of a security system, reported Bloomberg.


Hong Kong's Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan has called on the MTR to carry out a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.