At least two dancers were injured during boy band Mirror’s concert after a huge video screen fell on the middle of the stage in the Hong Kong Coliseum on Thursday night.
The accident happened during band members Anson Lo and Edan Lui’s performance of the latter’s dance hit “Elevator”.
Videos circulating on the internet show how the movable screen dropped onto the stage after the cables holding it up appeared to snap.
The screen hit one of the dancers in the middle of his head and body before tilting over, hitting another dancer.
Police said they received several reports of the incident involving the screen, which measured 4 meters by 4 meters by 0.2 meters, at 10:36pm.
One of the dancers, 27, was injured in the head and neck, while the other, 29, received injuries to his forehead.
The two were conscious when they were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
Local media reported that the initial diagnosis for the 27-year-old was paralysis in all four limbs, brain hemorrhage and cervical spine fracture.
Lo Ting-fai, CEO of MakerVille, one of the organizers of the concert, told reporters at the hospital in the early hours of Friday that the victim is currently in intensive care, but is conscious and able to communicate with the doctor.
The other dancer suffered slight scratches and pulled some muscles, Lo added.
The CEO said the 29-year-old is currently under observation and can be discharged if there are no other major issues.
Police added three women, who were not hit by the screen, felt unwell.
One, aged 21, was conscious when she was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
The other two, aged 16 and 40, did not require treatment at the hospital.
The case has been handed over to the district crime squad of Kowloon City for follow-up investigations.
The dancer who suffered injuries to his head and neck has been identified as Mo.
He was a contestant on ViuTV’s “King Maker” in 2018, the show that led to the formation of Mirror, and is the boyfriend of girl group Collar member So Ching.
The other injured dancer has been identified as Fung.
Mirror member Anson Kong and “FatBoy” Leung Yip, a member of Mirror’s brother band Error, posted black Instagram stories following the accident.
In the early hours of Friday, organizers MakerVille and Music Nation issued a statement, extending their “deepest condolences and once again solemnly apologizing” for the incident. They added they will provide all the necessary assistance.
Organizers also said they are thoroughly investigating the cause of the accident and will make an announcement as soon as possible.
“In addition, we are deeply sorry that the incident caused unease to viewers or others affected,” they added.
Organizers also announced that all remaining performances and online live streaming sessions will be canceled.
They added they will announce the refund arrangement as soon as possible.
Those holding tickets for the Thursday show can also refund their tickets and details will be announced later, they said.
Earlier, Chief Executive John Lee issued a statement, saying: “I am shocked by the incident. I express sympathy to those who were injured and hope that they would recover soon.”
He also said that he had contacted Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung and instructed the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, together with relevant departments, “to comprehensively investigate the incident and review the safety requirements of similar performance activities in order to protect the safety of performers, working staff and members of the public”.
Yeung also expressed grave concern over the accident at the Coliseum, which is a venue managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
According to a government statement, he has requested the department to set up a task force to be led by an assistant director to work with the Labour Department and relevant parties to investigate the cause of the accident and to follow up on it.
The two departments contacted the concert organizers on Wednesday “about stage incidents in the past few days”, and requested them to review and improve on the situation, the statement added.
The hugely anticipated, sold-out concert series, the band’s first in the prestigious Coliseum, has been marred by controversy, especially regarding its stage design and technical glitches, since its first show on Monday.
Member Anson Kong almost fell off a raised platform on the first night, while another member Frankie Chan fell off the stage during his performance for the second show, suffering slight scratches.
A dancer was also rumored to have fallen off the stage during rehearsals a day before the opening show.
The series of accidents led to over 10,000 fans signing an online petition demanding organizers improve the safety situation.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the latest information on the dancers’ injuries.
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