In Brief
Ships collide west of Lantau
The Marine Department is investigating a collision between a container ship and a smaller freighter to the west of Hong Kong. Police said a vessel from Zhuhai carrying nine shipping containers collided with the larger vessel near the mouth of the Pearl River. The smaller vessel suffered damage to its hull and began taking on water. Its crew sent a distress signal and sailed the vessel into Hong Kong waters near Sha Lo Wan, north Lantau. Firemen were called to pump out the water and the vessel was towed away. None of the eight crew were injured.
Construction accidents rise
Building site accidents were up slightly year on year in the first nine months of last year, the labour minister said at a ceremony to present the Construction Industry Safety Awards. Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said the government would step up education, training and inspection of high-risk construction sites to tackle the problem. In the first three quarters of 2006, accidents rose 0.3 per cent to 2,596. But the accident rate per thousand workers rose 14.2 per cent to 64.7, from 56.7 in 2005, because of the reduced number of workers in the sector.
Restaurant worker loses finger
A 44-year-old Kwai Shing congee shop worker lost a finger yesterday when she tried to clean a soya bean crusher without turning it off. The finger was recovered and packed in ice, and doctors were last night working to reattach it. The hospital said they were confident of success.
Boys arrested after fire
Two brothers were arrested in Cheung Sha Wan after a fire in which one of the boys was injured. Police said the pair, aged 10 and 11, had set fire to some plastic, leaves and wood on a slope in Hoi Lai Street at 3.30pm. The younger boy suffered burns to his face and hands. His condition was stable after treatment at Caritas Medical Centre.
Man held over robberies
Police arrested a 38-year-old man they believe was involved in two armed robberies in Tsim Sha Tsui. The man was allegedly carrying a cutter in his back pocket, and police said a cutter had been used in two robberies earlier in the day. He was being held for questioning last night.
Observatory hosts 10,000 visitors
About 10,000 people visited the Hong Kong Observatory over the weekend. The open days were organised as part of the celebrations for World Meteorological Day on Friday. One of the features was an exhibit on the typhoon warning system to be introduced this season.
