Ocean Park Tower Malfunction Traps 40 Visitors; Fire Crews Conduct Rope Rescue
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 15 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Ocean Park's Ocean Tower (海洋摩天塔) experienced a mechanical failure on Monday afternoon (November 9, 2026), stranding approximately 40 visitors at height for nearly an hour before fire services could complete rescue operations. One visitor reported feeling unwell during the ordeal. The incident occurred less than 18 months after a similar malfunction in May 2025 trapped 17 visitors for nearly two hours.
Key Points
- The malfunction occurred at approximately 3:33 PM on November 9, 2026, when the observation cabin stopped at a position near the tower's top
- Social media footage showed the cabin remained stationary with no rotation or vertical movement for at least 50 minutes
- Fire services deployed specialized rope rescue personnel to evacuate the trapped visitors; most were guided down through the tower's central safety passage, while one person required rope descent
- The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) indicated it would require a formal incident report from the theme park under statutory obligations
- The 72-metre tower, located at an altitude of 200 metres within Ocean Park's The Summit area, is among Southeast Asia's tallest observation towers
- This marks the second malfunction in less than 18 months; in May 2025, a similar failure trapped 17 visitors for nearly two hours
Why It Matters
The recurrence of a potentially dangerous malfunction at a major Hong Kong tourist attraction raises concerns about maintenance standards and regulatory oversight. EMSD Director Poon Kwok-ying (潘國英) stated the department would investigate the cause and require corrective measures from the park management to prevent similar incidents . The incident also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness for visitor safety at elevated attractions, particularly given the park's popularity among both residents and tourists.
The recurrence of a potentially dangerous malfunction at a major Hong Kong tourist attraction raises concerns about maintenance standards and regulatory oversight. EMSD Director Poon Kwok-ying (潘國英) stated the department would investigate the cause and require corrective measures from the park management to prevent similar incidents . The incident also highlights the importance of emergency preparedness for visitor safety at elevated attractions, particularly given the park's popularity among both residents and tourists.