Worker dies after inflatable ship fender explodes while being filled with gas at Hong Kong container terminal, throwing him 10 metres
- Man, 37, thrown into the air by the force of explosion, landing on the ground more than 10 metres away, police say
- Incident at No 8 container terminal in Kwai Chung was the city’s third fatal industrial accident in 48 hours
A dock worker died after an inflatable ship fender he was refilling with gas exploded, catapulting him more than 10 metres (33 feet) into the air at a major Hong Kong cargo terminal on Thursday.
The 9am incident at the No 8 container terminal in Kwai Chung was the city’s third fatal industrial accident in 48 hours.
The Labour Department said it was highly concerned about the recent spate of accidents, adding it would conduct investigations and take action in cases found to have violated occupational safety and health legislation.
A preliminary investigation into Thursday’s incident suggested the fender – used to prevent ships from suffering damage while berthing and hitting a sea wall or pier – exploded when the 37-year-old worker was refilling it with gas, according to police.
A spokeswoman for the force said the man was thrown into the air by the force of the explosion, landing on the ground more than 10 metres away.
