MTR reports train odour incidents at Jordan and To Kwa Wan
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Passengers on Hong Kong's MTR reported pungent odours and apparent smoke on trains on the Tsuen Wan Line and Tuen Ma Line at about 9pm on Thursday, 23 October, with some saying they felt mildly unwell. MTR said staff boarded the trains after receiving reports at Yau Ma Tei and To Kwa Wan stations, did not detect any odour, assisted affected passengers and later arranged for the trains to return to depots for inspection before reporting the matter to police.
Key Points
- A passenger said she smelled a strong, irritating odour while waiting on the Jordan station platform at about 9:05pm on 23 October and covered her nose with a wet tissue.
- She said apparent smoke appeared in the carriage about a minute after boarding, several passengers began coughing, and some said they were struggling to breathe.
- When the Tsuen Wan Line train reached Yau Ma Tei, many passengers hurried out of the carriage, and MTR staff went to the platform to understand the situation.
- Separate online accounts said passengers on a Tuen Ma Line train passing To Kwa Wan also noticed an odour, with several people in the same carriage coughing before staff offered help at Ho Man Tin
- MTR said Yau Ma Tei and To Kwa Wan stations each received passenger reports at about 9pm, while police said MTR staff made a report at about 11pm and the train later returned to Tsuen Wan Depot.
Why It Matters
The incidents affected two busy urban rail lines and prompted passengers to leave carriages suddenly, raising immediate concerns about onboard safety and air quality during evening travel. With MTR sending the trains for inspection and filing a police report, attention will turn to whether checks can identify the source of the reported odour and smoke.