Train Derails At Hung Hom Station

An East Rail Line train derailed while entering Hung Hom Station in the Tuesday morning rush hour, injuring eight people and causing delays and chaos on the transport network.

Footage from the scene showed hundreds of passengers having to lower themselves onto the tracks after the accident, which happened at about 8.30am. Reports from the scene said the train suddenly swayed and a door flew off before the train stopped. The train split into two sections.

Firefighters, paramedics and police took over the station soon after the incident.

The Fire Services Department later said that of the eight people injured in the derailment, five were taken to hospital for treatment. They were not believed to have been seriously hurt.

The MTR Corporation said at about 8.45am that trains would not run between Hung Hom and Mong Kok East for the time being. Passengers were reportedly left stranded on the platform at Hung Hom and forced to find alternative transport.

The Transport Department announced shortly after 10am that four through trains from Hung Hom to the mainland would be cancelled today, along with three southbound trains.

Passengers with tickets for the affected trains, numbers Z806, Z802, Z812, Z816 northbound and numbers Z811, Z815, Z807 southbound, can seek refunds.

Other stations on the East Rail line were also overcrowded, with trains unable to move for up to half an hour.

As of 11am, trains between Mong Kok East and Lo Wu were running at six-minute intervals, while trains to Lok Ma Chau are running every 18 minutes. A free shuttle bus service is also operating between Tai Wai and Diamond Hill.

Services on the West Rail Line were also facing "severe delays". Services between Hung Hom and Tuen Mun were running only every 12 minutes. Trains from Nam Cheong to Tuen Mun were running at six-minute intervals.

Transport Secretary Frank Chan and MTR operations director Adi Lau arrived at Hung Hom to assess the situation soon after 10am.

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