***********************************************************
A total of eight Government departments are joining hands to help residents of Wai King Building and victims following an explosion that occurred yesterday (April 11) in Jordan Valley North Road, Ngau Tau Kok.
The eight departments are the Police, Fire Services Department, Buildings Department, Waters Supplies Department, Home Affairs Department, Social Welfare Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Government Laboratory.
A joint investigation team comprising members from the Police, the Fire Services Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) is probing the incident.
Officers from the Gas Standards Office of the EMSD, joined by the personnel of Towngas, conducted site investigations and tests early this (April 12) morning. They have identified the location of the gas leakage and removed the related pipes.
A spokesman for the EMSD said: "Towngas has replaced all the affected pipes and is conducting comprehensive safety tests. Full supply to Wai King Building and Choi Ha Estate was resumed this morning and afternoon respectively."
The electricity supply to Wai King Building was suspended temporarily after the explosion. Besides providing emergency power supply to the residents last night, CLP Power carried out the repair works immediately and normal supply was resumed around noon today.
All the landing doors of the four passenger lifts in Wai King Building were seriously damaged in the explosion. EMSD has urged the lift contractor to speed up the repair works to minimise the inconvenience caused to the residents in the building.
"However, the works will take a longer time to be completed because of the large extent of damage. The service is expected to be resumed in a few days," the spokesman said.
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) is coordinating an Inter-departmental Working Group to provide assistance to the residents affected and take appropriate follow-up action. Inter-departmental help desks were also set up by the Kwun Tong District Office of HAD at the scene, United Christian Hospital(UCH) as well as Caritas Community Centre - Ngau Tau Kok to answer public enquiries. Residents affected are welcome to get updated information by dialling a 24-hour hotline at 9020 7371 (the scene), 3513 4122(UCH- to stand down at 9 pm tonight) and 2750 2728(Caritas Community Centre) respectively.
A temporary shelter at Caritas Community Centre ﷿ Ngau Tau Kok was opened yesterday to provide shelter for affected residents.
Meanwhile, HAD officers and the Kwun Tong District Council members visited the households affected at their home in order to have a better understanding of their needs and distributed drinking water to them.
Eleven people were injured in the incident and three are being treated in United Christian Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Of the injured persons, an 89-year-old woman was certified dead in hospital yesterday.
During her visits to patients at both hospitals, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, offered financial assistance and other forms of assistance to the victims and their families.
On the other hand, the Working Group keeps contact with the Owners Corporation of the building affected to offer help for repairing the building facilities being destroyed during the explosion. The Group also coordinated services provided by other departments for the residents, including the bathing facilities provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has provided meal service and emergency relief articles to a total of 23 registered affected residents. The Department will continue to assess the needs of the affected residents and actively provide service to cater for their need, including arranging for emergency accommodation and counselling service.
As for the 98-year-old man who had lost his wife in the accident, SWD has already arranged for him a temporary shelter. The department will keep on looking after his needs and provide service as appropriate.
Ends/Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 20:24
NNNN