Carriage Coupling Failure: Second Accident on MTR Within One Month

On Dec. 5th, the Hong Kong MTR experienced the second derailing incident within a month. The Fire Services Department is seen here conducting rescue operations (L) and assisting evacuation of the passengers (R) at the scene. (Left: Fire Services Department Facebook; Right: Zhang Xinyu Facebook picture)

On Dec. 5, the Tseung Kwan O Line had the second derailing in the history to date of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway (MTR). Together with the one involving two doors being ripped off at Yau Ma Tei Station on Nov. 13, and another incident at Causeway Bay Station on Dec. 2, 2021, the MTR had seen three life-threatening incidents within the span of just one year. This has caused serious concerns about whether there is a problem with the management of the MTR. Criticisms abound that the MTR has always used incomprehensible technical terms to describe the incident after each recent accident, which is just an attempt to downplay them.

At about 8:30 on Dec. 5 morning, a train traveling from North Point to Tseung Kwan O Line got stuck when it was about to enter Tseung Kwan O Station. As can be seen from pictures taken at the scene, the link between two adjacent carriages was stretched abnormally, and there is also a wide gap between the compartment and the “gangway connection,” exposing some white patches that should not usually be visible.

The gangway corridor connection of the train involved became loose. (L) Fire Service people are in attendance to follow up. (R) A close-up view of this suspected corridor connection. (Left: Facebook of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department; Right: Home @ Lohas Park Facebook photo)

MTR dispatched Train Operations and Local Railway Chief Sammy Wong Kwan-wai, and Train Engineering Supervisor Ng Wai-hung to meet the press. But when being asked repeatedly whether it was “another derailing,” they did not respond directly, only repeating that it was “the carriage coupling parts failure.”

In an update to the incident on Dec. 8, Operations Director Dr. Tony Lee Kar-yun told the media that a preliminary report had been submitted to the relevant authorities. He explained that the carriages were still fastened, that the train had not deviated from the track, and the supplier said that the coupler devices of the same type of carriages are safe to operate.

Source: Serious Shortage of Frontline Manpower in MTR Maintenance Department

Gary Zhang Xinyu, a member of the Legislative Council who used to work as an MTR engineer, said bluntly that the two carriages got loose, which is equivalent to “derailing,” because he has seen the white connecting portion that is not usually visible. He also advises passengers not to stand close to the gangway connection part between the two carriages.

He revealed that MTR frontline maintenance personnel recently told him about the serious shortage of manpower in the maintenance department, causing the work to “begin to show signs of unease.” And he was worried that the repeated serious accidents on MTR lately were due to loopholes in the manpower arrangement of the maintenance system or an outright maintenance management problem.

When Zhang attended a radio program on Nov. 20, he said that the MTR has been losing manpower consistently, and there have been vacancies in the maintenance department that have not been filled for more than half a year.

On the Legislative Council Subcommittee on Matters Relating to Railways on Dec. 2, Tony Lee Kar-yun, MTR Corp. operation director, admitted that the loss of workforce is a challenge, but “recruitment has never stopped.” Some members questioned whether the MTR should not outsource maintenance. At that time, Li responded that “our (MTR) colleagues will still supervise the contractor, manage the work well, and provide high-quality maintenance.” However, not too soon after his assurances, the MTR had another accident yesterday.

Doors Ripped Off

The above-mentioned Subcommittee held on Dec. 2 was a follow-up on the accident at Yau Ma Tei Station at around 9:30 am on Nov. 13 when a train derailed and “slammed and ripped off the doors.”

MTR representatives apologized again for the incident during the meeting, saying that an investigation committee had been set up to complete the investigation and submit a full report within two months. The initial report indicated that the accident was caused by a dislodged metal guardrail that collided with the side of the train. MTR will complete a comprehensive inspection of all trackside’s structural installations and facilities within 6 months and strengthen the real-time monitoring and advance warning of the trackside.

Looking back on the day of the accident, MTR also dispatched Sammy Wong to explain the incident. He said that after a preliminary assessment of the accident, the bogie of the first carriage deviated from the track, and it was also found that the equipment beside the track was damaged. As for the train, two sets of doors were displaced.

After the accident, the MTR was also criticized for not taking passenger safety into consideration. About 150 passengers on the involved train that day went to the emergency exit ramp at the rear of the train to leave the compartment and walked along the rails to Mong Kok Station to be evacuated. During the evacuation period, the tunnel lights were not turned on, and there were still trains running on the rails around them.

Incident at Causeway Bay Station with Door Ripped due to Billboard not Properly Fixed

As for the door falling off at Causeway Bay Station on Dec. 2, 2021, it involved a panel of a movable trackside billboard, which was not properly fixed and tilted outwards, and collided with the door of the train.

The accident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on that day, and fortunately, no one was hurt. The service of the Hong Kong Island Line was blocked for nearly three hours, and the train service between Wan Chai and Quarry Bay Station was fully suspended. At that time, Sammy Wong also met the press to explain the incident. He pointed out that it was initially suspected that one billboard part in the tunnel was displaced and collided with the door of the carriage, causing the accident. MTR said it would start a full investigation.