Hong Kong launches investigation into mirror concert incident

Hong Kong authorities have ordered an investigation into the on-stage incident on Thursday, when a giant LED screen fell from the ceiling at a concert by boy band Mirror, injuring two male dancers.

“I have contacted the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and instructed the Department of Leisure and Cultural Services, together with the relevant departments, to fully investigate the incident and review the safety requirements of similar performance activities in order to ensure the safety of the performers protection. Workers and members of the public,” said the city’s chief executive, John Lee. He described the events as “a serious incident”.

The incident happened at around 10:35 p.m. local time on Thursday at the Coliseum, a major venue for the Canto-pop music scene. It was the fourth show in a planned series of 12 performances. The rest of the series has now been discontinued.

According to a Hong Kong Hospital Authority spokesman, one of the dancers suffered neck injuries and was in critical care in intensive care. The other suffered head injuries and was described as stable. Their names have not been published. A small number of spectators were also treated for shock.

Culture Minister Kevin Yeung said his department will “establish a task force, led by a deputy director, to work with the Department of Labor and relevant parties to investigate the cause of the accident.”

Yeung said the two departments had already contacted the concert promoter on Wednesday “about the stage incidents over the past few days and asked the promoter to review and improve the situation.”

The concerts were organized by MakerVille, PCCW’s entertainment division, and Music Nation.

The shocking incident was caught on video, showing a giant screen falling onto a stage packed with performers and dancers. As it falls, the LED panel rotates before an edge appears to strike a person over much of their body.

There were minor incidents at the earlier concerts. On Tuesday, Mirror band member Frankie Chan Sui-fai climbed off the edge of the stage and fell about a meter (about three feet) while addressing the audience. He suffered bruises, which he showed on social media.

On Monday, three band members appeared to miss their footsteps on a hanging structure. And Anson Kong Ip-sang is said to have lost his balance on a rising platform during another performance.

On Tuesday, Mirror fans started an online petition demanding more security. It was reported that over 10,000 signatures were collected in 12 hours.