Hong Kong construction worker in critical condition after electrical explosion
- The 51-year-old suffered burns on his face, arms and legs and was rushed to hospital in Sha Tin
- Labour Department to investigate as an industrial accident
A Hong Kong construction worker was fighting for his life on Thursday after he was badly burnt by an explosion at a border checkpoint in the New Territories.
The 51-year-old suffered severe burns to his face, arms and legs and was conscious when emergency workers rushed him to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. A government spokeswoman said the man was in critical condition.
The explosion was reported at 11am on the ground floor of the Liantang-Heung Yuen Wai boundary control office, which is under construction on Lin Ma Hang Road in Ta Kwu Ling. The checkpoint is expected to be open this year.
“An initial investigation showed that the worker was testing an electrical installation at the time of the explosion,” police said in a statement.
The Fire Services Department sent five fire engines and an ambulance to the scene.
A police spokesman said they found no suspicious circumstances and the case was classified as an industrial accident.
The Labour Department said it would investigate the accident.