MTR Tseun Wan Line Resumes as Normal After Sunday Incident

On the morning of Nov. 13, two sets of doors were torn off an MTR carriage at Yau Ma Tei station, leading to the evacuation of approximately 750 passengers, according to a report by local news outlet RTHK.

One person suffered abrasions and was sent to hospital. The remaining passengers suffered no injuries. Around 150 passengers disembarked from the rear end of the train and walked along the tunnel to safety due to unclear instructions.

According to a government press release, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) immediately began investigating the potential cause of the incident, starting by visiting the location of the incident. The EMSD is considering many factors, such as the mechanics of the train and potentially foreign objects that may have affected the train running smoothly.

The MTR Corporation is also required to submit an incident report and formulate improvement measures. RTHK reported that MTR Officials suspect the bogie of the first carriage was not properly aligned with the trail, leading to the carriage derailing and causing damage to the exterior of the train.

Louis Szeto, chairman of the international strategy board of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, was quoted in the article saying, “the incident could have been more serious had it not been for the driver hitting the emergency brake repeatedly.” Adding that an abrupt stop may have sent the train flying into platform screens or other more severe outcomes.

The MTR Corporation confirmed the Tsuen Wan Line is back to normal today, with engineers working overnight to fix the track.