Shocking MTR Crash

Two MTR trains in opposite directions crashed in the same crossing

The MTR has suffered another incident, this time a pretty severe one -- two trains going in opposite directions on the Tsuen Wan-Central line crashed into each other in between the Central and Admiralty stations.

Thank goodness it happened overnight at 3am when they were testing the system, but the driver of one of the trains was injured and rushed to hospital.

The wreckage is horrific, and luckily there were no passengers

Pictures of the crash look horrific, which makes it even more lucky that there were no passengers at the time. One train practically mounts the other and one of the carriages is ripped open from the force of the crash, insulation spewing out, as well as gnarled metal pieces.

Rush hour this morning for many people was pretty hectic, though because it happened so early that buses and taxis were given advance warning that the morning commute would be busy and more buses were supplied.

The main thing was for people to get to Admiralty via the Island line or other means in order to go to Kowloon on the Tsuen Wan line.

It turns out there was a signalling software failure that allowed the two trains to go through the same crossing at the same time.

The software manufacturer, Thales is based in France, but testing in its Toronto laboratory has shown the same result.

How will the MTR explain itself to Legco on Wednesday?

Interestingly Thales will be at the Asia Pacific Rail 2019 show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. They will probably be bombarded by reporters with questions tomorrow and Wednesday...

In the meantime, the MTR has said that the Tsuen Wan line between Central and Admiralty will be down another day to try to extricate the damaged trains from the track.

On Wednesday MTR officials will be grilled by the Legislative Council and again there will be questions about complacency and why is the public transport system raising fares with service like this... it's the same thing over and over and yet nothing definitive is done about it...