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The Hong Kong Railway Inspectorate of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau has carried out follow-up investigation into the West Rail incident which occurred this morning (February 14) in the Tai Lam Tunnel.
The incident happened at 9.13 am. The Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) notified the Hong Kong Railway Inspectorate (HKRI) and the Transport Department of the incident in the first instance. The HKRI also immediately went to the scene to start investigation.
The initial investigation by HKRI revealed that a potential transformer short-circuited and caused fire and heavy smoke. The potential transformer in this incident was installed on top of the train carriage. The function of the potential transformer is to check whether electricity is supplied to the train. After the potential transformer short-circuited, the electricity supply to the train was automatically cut off for ensuring train safety.
In the light of the incident, the HKRI has immediately requested KCRC to complete a comprehensive fleet check on all potential transformers of the trains of the same model before commencing train service tomorrow. KCRC has to report the fleet check outcome to the HKRI and to prove all potential transformers function properly before putting the trains into service.
As regards the relevant section of the Tai Lam Tunnel, the HKRI also inspected the electric overhead line and rail track installed there and found no sign of damage. The equipment was also tested and proved to be operating normally. In the light that the safe operation of the trains would not be affected, the HKRI approved the resumption of West Rail service at Tai Lam Tunnel in the afternoon.
We understood that smoke and fire in the incident caused panic and concern to the affected passengers. The Government has stringent safety requirements for the railway systems, including train carriages, tunnel design and passenger evacuation procedures. The design of train carriages is required to be fire resistant so that passengers can be evacuated safely from the train when there is a fire. The design of the West Rail trains complies with this requirement and provides a 30-minute fire resistance. The Government also requires the provision of lighting and smoke ventilation systems in tunnels. In case of fire, the smoke ventilation system has to extract smoke away from the scene in the opposite direction of passenger evacuation for ensuring the safety of passengers. The design of West Rail Tai Lam Tunnel complies with this requirement.
The HKRI noted that the KCRC has followed the established procedures in the evacuation of passengers in this incident. The train driver notified the Control Centre immediately after the incident, so that the tunnel light and smoke ventilation systems could be switched on. He then swiftly arranged for the passengers to leave the train and walk to the Tsuen Wan West Station and road surface via emergency walkway of the tunnel. The HKRI will further review the arrangements for passenger evacuation with KCRC to examine whether there is room for further improvement.
The HKRI noted that the KCRC had followed the schedule for regular maintenance of West Rail trains, including the power supply equipment. In this connection, the HKRI has already asked the KCRC and the supplier of the potential transformer to investigate the cause of the short circuit as soon as possible and to submit a detailed report to HKRI for further follow-up action with KCRC.
Ends/Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:29
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