Tools left on tracks cause hour-long Hong Kong MTR Island line disruption

Maintenance equipment left on the tracks is believed to have forced a one-hour partial suspension of Hong Kong’s MTR Island line during the Wednesday morning rush hour.The South China Morning Post learned from preliminary police investigations that the suspension of train services between Sheung Wan and Quarry Bay stations might have been linked to engineering items left behind by maintenance vehicles after track repairs near Wan Chai station.Police said MTR staff reported a service disruption at 6.11am on Wednesday, before the rail operator announced at 6.39am that an object had been detected on the tracks at Wan Chai station.Commuters bound for North Point were encouraged to take the Tseung Kwan O line as an alternative. Photo: HandoutAll gates at seven stations between Sheung Wan and Quarry Bay, including those in the business districts of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai, were closed, with signs reading: “This station is temporarily closed because of an incident.”Many passengers were seen switching to buses or trams as alternatives.Trains ran at 10-minute intervals between Kennedy Town and Sheung Wan, and between Quarry Bay and Chai Wan.At around 7.30am, the MTR Corporation said train services were gradually resuming after “an object obstructing the track near Wan Chai station” had been removed.