The Government expressed that it is highly concerned about an accident involving the collapse of a bamboo scaffold at a Kai Tak construction site today in which two workers were killed and three others injured.

A preliminarily investigation by the Buildings Department (BD) found that the scaffold, measuring about 15m by 8m, fell to the ground from the external wall on the 19th floor of a building under construction.

The BD said it will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the incident, including whether the scaffold, as temporary works, complied with the Buildings Ordinance and whether the registered contractor and any related persons have properly discharged their responsibilities.

It added that if anyone is found in contravention of the ordinance, it will take follow-up actions, including instigating prosecution and referring to the Contractors Disciplinary Board for disciplinary proceedings.

The Labour Department (LD) also launched an immediate on-site investigation into the accident and said it will complete the probe as soon as possible to identify the cause, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures.

The LD emphasised that it will take action pursuant to the law if there is any violation of the work safety legislation.

Additionally, it issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending the erection, alteration, dismantling and use of bamboo scaffolds on the external walls of the building at the construction site.

Apart from expressing its deepest sympathies to the victims' families and the injured workers, the LD stressed that the contractors cannot resume the work process until it is satisfied that measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken.