Holes blamed in historic Hong Kong police station wall collapse

Independent review panel also cites support structure settlement and weak localised masonry as case goes to government to establish who was liable

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The station at Hollywood Road in Central on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:26pm, 3 Nov 2016Updated: 9:21pm, 3 Nov 2016

The collapse of a section of the historic married inspectors’ quarters at the Central Police Station compound in May this year could have been avoided if certain holes in a building wall had not been made, an investigation has found.

However, the study conducted by a Jockey Club-appointed independent review panel did not mention who should be held accountable. The club is responsible for the project.

The collapse took place at the conservation project site in May this year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Greg Wong, the panel’s chairman and a former president of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, said the study determined “the cutting of holes in the north wall on the first floor was the cause of the collapse”.

The cutting of holes in the north wall ... was the cause of the collapse

Greg Wong, review panel chairman

Wong, also a structural engineer, said the panel was charged with ascertaining possible causes, not establishing liability. “The Buildings Department is carrying out a much more detailed investigation and as the statutory body they will look into the issue of liability,” he said.