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Task force reveals 'weak link' at Mirror concert as probe continues
The strength of a suspension wire snapped at a Mirror concert in late July was 20 percent less than that of other wires available on the market, a special task force revealed.
A gigantic TV panel fell onto the stage after the suspension wire snapped at the July 28 concert and seriously injured two dancers. One dancer has been discharged from the hospital, while another dancer Mo Li Kai-yin, 27, is still in critical condition.
The task force is led by Lee Tsz-chun, assistant director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Lee, accompanied by Louis Szeto Ka-shing of the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers and expert advisor Eric Lim Chaw-hyon, spoke to the press on Wednesday after the group's fourth meeting.
Lim said they confirmed metal fatigue on the surface area of the snapped wire after magnifying the images by 5000 times through an electronic microscope.
Experiments also revealed that the strength of the snapped wire – with a diameter of 5 millimeters – was 20 percent less than that of other wires available on the market.
Lim believed that the wire was damaged before it was installed on the set, and the "rope guard" used to secure the position of the wire put pressure on it and sped up the metal fatigue.
He continued the fallen TV panel was way heavier than expected for the original stage design.
Yet, when asked which party should be held accountable for the incident, Lee refused to comment and only said the investigation is still ongoing and expected to finish by next month.
On the other hand, Szeto said they would investigate if there is any mistake when selecting materials or signing papers confirming safety. The Engineers Registration Board will hand down punishments when necessary, he added.
The task force is led by Lee Tsz-chun, assistant director of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Lee, accompanied by Louis Szeto Ka-shing of the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers and expert advisor Eric Lim Chaw-hyon, spoke to the press on Wednesday after the group's fourth meeting.
Lim said they confirmed metal fatigue on the surface area of the snapped wire after magnifying the images by 5000 times through an electronic microscope.
Experiments also revealed that the strength of the snapped wire – with a diameter of 5 millimeters – was 20 percent less than that of other wires available on the market.
Lim believed that the wire was damaged before it was installed on the set, and the "rope guard" used to secure the position of the wire put pressure on it and sped up the metal fatigue.
He continued the fallen TV panel was way heavier than expected for the original stage design.
Yet, when asked which party should be held accountable for the incident, Lee refused to comment and only said the investigation is still ongoing and expected to finish by next month.
On the other hand, Szeto said they would investigate if there is any mistake when selecting materials or signing papers confirming safety. The Engineers Registration Board will hand down punishments when necessary, he added.
