Hong Kong typhoon: warning rises to No 8 after deadly scaffolding collapse at residential building
- Female construction worker dies after being pulled unconscious from pile of bamboo poles at estate in Happy Valley
- One hundred emergency personnel comb through the debris, pulling another worker to safety, while two drivers manage to free themselves
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The Observatory raised the No 8 southeast storm signal at 6.40am on Saturday as Tropical Storm Lionrock’s strengthening winds continued to batter Hong Kong, a day after one person died as torrential weather descended on the city.
All day classes were suspended as a result of the storm signal upgrade to the third highest warning, the Education Bureau said.
A worker died and three other people were trapped after massive scaffolding around a high-rise residential estate collapsed on Friday morning under the onslaught of heavy rain and strong winds brought by the tropical storm.
A female construction worker, 55, was found gravely injured in the wreckage of 30 floors worth of bamboo poles and netting at the Beverly Hill estate on Broadwood Road in Happy Valley during a rescue effort involving 100 firefighters and paramedics.
Two drivers were also trapped in their vehicles after the scaffolding – measuring about 100 metres (330 feet) by 150 metres – came crashing down onto the road below at around 10am.
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Scaffolding collapses as heavy wind and rains lash Hong Kong amid typhoon warning