The roof of a building at Hong Kong’s City University collapsed yesterday, injuring three people, officials said, sparking panic among eyewitnesses who said it sounded like an explosion.
The accident happened around 2.30pm (0630 GMT) when a square-shaped portion of the university sports centre, in the Kowloon Tong neighbourhood, caved in.
Television news footage showed police and firefighters inspecting the collapsed roof.
“The roof collapsed and three people were injured,” a police spokeswoman told AFP, adding that the affected area was 30sq m (323sq feet).
The wounded were taken to hospital, police said without detailing the extent of their injuries from the collapse, which occurred in an area used for badminton and basketball.
“To the best of our knowledge at this time, no other persons were trapped inside the hall and the prime focus now is to ensure that the facility is safe,” a university statement said late yesterday afternoon.
“It is understood that two members of City University staff have been hurt and a third individual is in shock,” the university said.
Witnesses said people feared there had been an explosion.
“When it collapsed ... people ran away and were saying ‘there’s an explosion, run away’,” a witness identified as Tsui told Cable Television news.
Tsui also said the venue was used by students to take exams and that the examinations period had just passed. “Luckily, nobody is writing exams anymore now.”
Such accidents are rare in Hong Kong, a city of 7mn people.