23rd December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Government has expressed significant concern regarding an incident that occurred on 21st November last year, in which a young passenger reportedly stepped into the gap between the platform and the train of the Automated People Mover (APM) system at Hong Kong International Airport. Following the incident, the Government requested a comprehensive investigation report from the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), which has now been completed.
The AAHK’s investigation found no systematic safety issues with the APM system. Infrared devices are installed at the platform screen doors (PSDs) and train doors to detect obstructions, ensuring that both doors remain open if a passenger or object is trapped. Additionally, if the doors cannot close properly, the train is instructed not to depart, and an alert is sent to controllers in the Integrated Airport Centre.
In a proactive measure, the AAHK initiated a project in mid-2023 to narrow the gap between the platform and the train, completing the work in June 2024. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has confirmed the safety of the APM system’s design and operation.
Regarding incident notifications, the AAHK is required to inform the Government of accidents as outlined in the Airport Authority (Automated People Mover) (Safety) Regulation. The investigation revealed that although the incident was not properly recorded, there was no evidence of a cover-up by AAHK staff. The initial investigation was deemed insufficient, as the young passenger was pulled from the gap by other passengers before an alert was triggered due to the scheduled closing of the train doors.
The AAHK acknowledged deficiencies in its Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual and the lack of effective communication among frontline staff, which contributed to the oversight. In response, disciplinary action has been taken against the involved personnel.
The Government has mandated several improvement measures to prevent future incidents, including:
- Strengthening the incident notification mechanism: Updating the APM Operation and Emergency Procedure Manual and providing relevant training to frontline staff to enhance awareness and reporting of incidents.
- Enhancing the incident investigation mechanism: Establishing a dedicated department to coordinate investigations related to passenger safety on the APM.
- Improving the CCTV system: Adjusting the CCTV setup to cover more viewing angles, facilitating better detection and investigation of incidents.
The AAHK has already begun implementing these measures, with the updated manual and training scheduled for next month and the enhanced CCTV system expected to be operational by March 2025. The Government will closely monitor the progress of these initiatives, while the EMSD continues to affirm the APM system’s safety and the effectiveness of the recent improvements.
