Emergency services receive 140 reports of people trapped in lifts as electricity supply disrupted

A power disruption was experienced across Kowloon and the New Territories late on Thursday night, with police receiving reports of a suspected explosion at power facilities near Kowloon Peak. The Fire Services Department also received 140 reports of people trapped in lifts.

CLP Power said its high-voltage electrical power supply system at Tsz Wan Shan suffered multiple voltage dips between 11.26pm and 12.06am, though the power supply was never completely cut off. The power company is still investigating the cause of the incident.

Police said early this morning that the blast reports received centered on activity near Fei Ngo Shan, also known as Kowloon Peak, in Wong Tai Sin at around 11.30pm. Many have reported hearing loud bangs.

Online pictures and videos saw fire and smoke coming from the mountainside, one also showed an electricity pylon caught in flames.

The Fire Services Department received over a hundred calls for help from people trapped in lifts, while dozens of fire alarms were also set off due to the power disruption. Residents also reported seeing flickering lights.