Yikes. It’s not been a great few weeks for Hong Kong construction. Following the collapse of a 900-square-metre ceiling at CityU which injured three people ten days ago, a massive brick wall has now collapsed at the site of three declared monuments in Central.
RTHK reports that a wall measuring around 8 metres by 10 metres suddenly collapsed at the Former Central Police Station compound yesterday evening, causing a sound described by witnesses to be “like thunder” and a huge cloud of dust and debris.
According to Apple Daily, the incident occurred just after 10pm, and affected the married inspectors’ quarters in the former station building. Eight fire engines, three ambulances, and two rescue teams were deployed to assess the damage and search for any victims with life detectors and rescue dogs.
So far, no injuries have been reported, and it appears nobody was inside the structure when the wall fell, Now News reports.
The entire site — which includes the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison — has been undergoing repair work since late 2011. It was being transformed into a heritage, arts and leisure hub named Tai Kwun as part of a joint project between the government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The police station was built between 1862 and 1864, and is the oldest building in the compound, SCMP reports. District councillor Ted Hui said the council had been previously informed that the station building was in “bad condition”, but was assured by Jockey Club that the project would be completed on time.
The attraction was slated to open in late 2016, although this will probably throw a spanner in the works. In a press release, Tai Kwun said it was “gathering information about the incident” from the managing contractor, Gammon Construction. Redevelopment work has been temporarily suspended as contractors and relevant personnel investigate the cause of the collapse.
Representatives from Jockey Club, Gammon, and the Antiquities and Monuments Office will discuss the incident at the district council tomorrow afternoon.
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