Burst Pipe at Ping Shek Estate Sends Water Towering; Two Men Bravely Shut Off Valve
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A water pipe erupted at Ping Shek Estate in Ngau Chi Wan on Saturday, October 17, 2026, unleashing a dramatic water jet estimated at 10 stories in height. A maintenance worker and a security guard braved the torrential conditions to manually shut off the main valve, with the guard using a plastic board to shield his colleague. The dramatic rescue was captured on video and widely shared online, drawing praise for the pair's teamwork. Residents on floors below the 16th have been left without drinking water while authorities investigate the cause.
Key Points
- Incident occurred at the ground floor of Hung Stone House, Ping Shek Estate, Ngau Chi Wan, in the early hours of October 17
- Police received multiple emergency calls at 12:23 am reporting the burst pipe
- The water jet shot approximately 10 stories high, lasting from midnight until about 1:20 am
- A security guard held a plastic board to shield the repair technician while he worked to close the valve
- Both men were completely soaked but successfully stopped the water flow
- Drinking water supply suspended for all residents below the 16th floor
Why It Matters
The incident highlights aging public housing infrastructure in Hong Kong, where burst pipes have become an recurring problem affecting thousands of residents. With no confirmed restoration time announced, affected households face uncertainty while authorities investigate the cause of the pipe failure.
The incident highlights aging public housing infrastructure in Hong Kong, where burst pipes have become an recurring problem affecting thousands of residents. With no confirmed restoration time announced, affected households face uncertainty while authorities investigate the cause of the pipe failure.