Secretary to reveal report on collapse

AN interim report on the Aberdeen canopy collapse a fortnight ago will be made public by the Secretary for Works, James Blake, during today's meeting of the Legislative Council's lands and works panel.

This is despite attempts by highly placed officials in the Buildings Department to keep the report secret until the Attorney-General's Chambers has decided whether there is sufficient evidence of criminal behaviour.

An 80-year-old woman died and 12 other people, including a two-month-old girl, were injured when a 10-metre concrete canopy outside the New Best Restaurant in Sai On Street collapsed.

The initial inquiry has focused on the way internal renovation work at the restaurant was being done and whether a fish tank on top of the canopy contributed to the collapse.

The Buildings Department said it asked the restaurant owners to remove the fish tank, but the police want to know why this request was not enforced.

The investigation has also concentrated on how well the canopy had been maintained and whether there was evidence of steel or concrete corrosion.

The police are expected to send a report on the incident to the Attorney-General's Chambers by the end of this month.