Hong Kong police investigate damage to overhead power cable that disrupted service on MTR’s East Rail line
- Vandalism suspected after 17-metre-long metal handrail found on tracks near Tai Po Market station
Services on the MTR’s East Rail line were disrupted on Sunday morning because of damage to an overhead power cable by a piece of handrail, which Hong Kong police believed was an act of vandalism.
The interruption to the power supply forced a suspension of trains between Tai Po Market and Fanling for about an hour. The incident came to light at about 5am, about 30 minutes before the day’s first trains were due to depart.
Services between Hung Hom and Tai Po Market ran at one train every 10 minutes, and between Tai Po Market and Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau every 10 to 15 minutes. The rail operator arranged temporary shuttle bus services for passengers.
The MTR Corporation reported the case to police at about 7.15am after finding a 17-metre-long metal handrail on the tracks.
A preliminary investigation revealed the handrail had been removed from its brackets on a nearby pedestrian bridge in Tai Wo Service Road East, near Kau Lung Hang.
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Police were not ruling out the possibility the handrail hit the power line after being thrown deliberately onto the tracks.
An investigation was being carried out by Tai Po’s district crime squad, officers said. The case was classified as “criminal damage”. No arrests had been made.
The MTR Corp completed repairs by about 6.15am and said regular services would gradually resume.
