Two scaffolders charged with manslaughter 21 months after fatal Kai Tak collapse

Hong Kong police have brought manslaughter charges against two construction workers nearly two years after massive bamboo scaffolding crashed 19 stories from a luxury residential project in Kai Tak, killing two female workers and injuring three others.

The breakthrough came on Thursday when detectives arrested a 48-year-old scaffolding foreman in Ngau Tau Kok and a 58-year-old scaffolder in Tseung Kwan O.

Both men appeared jointly charged with two counts of manslaughter at Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

The deadly incident occurred shortly before 5pm on February 20, 2023, at the Pano Harbour development on Shing Fung Road.

A 15-meter by 8-meter section of bamboo scaffolding suddenly detached from the 19th floor, hurling a worker who was installing aluminum panels and glass to the ground while crushing four colleagues walking below.

Two women, aged 68 and 54, later succumbed to multiple injuries at United Christian Hospital.

Initially classified as an industrial accident, the case was handed to the East Kowloon Regional Crime Unit. 

After a lengthy investigation, authorities upgraded it to manslaughter on Friday. The probe remains ongoing as the legal proceedings begin.