Tragic accident: Chief Executive Donald Tsang (centre)expresses grief over an industrial accident that claimed six cleaning workers' lives at the International Commerce Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Six cleaning workers died today when they fell 20 storeys after a platform gave way in the International Commerce Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui.

The six were working inside a lift shaft when they fell from the 30th floor to the 10th.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang visited the scene and expressed sadness over the accident and conveyed condolences to the workers' families.

Mr Tsang said he had instructed the Secretary for Labour & Welfare to investigate the accident's cause and follow up with the families. The Social Welfare and Labour Departments are helping the families.

Families to get aid

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said it was an extremely serious accident, and expressed shock and sorrow. He visited the families at the hospital and promised to provide aid.

Mr Cheung said the amount of statutory compensation depends on the age of the workers, with the maximum set at $1.76 million. The authorities will also provide emergency assistance.

After discussions with developer Sun Hung Kai, Mr Cheung said each worker's family will get a $1 million ex-gratia payment tomorrow. The company will pay all funeral expenses and assist in the education of the workers' children.

Mr Cheung said the Labour Department will investigate the accident together with other professional departments such as the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department to prevent similar incidents in the future.

He said there have been eight fatal construction industrial accidents so far this year - six at small-scale works and two at large-scale construction sites.

Last year saw 16 fatal accidents and there has been an improvement this year. But the Government will continue to promote occupational safety through publicity, education and enforcement programmes.

Risky rescue

Mr Cheung said, with the permission of the Environmental Protection Department, construction works may proceed even on Sundays.

Kowloon Fire Command Headquarters (South Division) Acting Divisional Officer Lo Kam-wing said the lift shaft was narrow, only two metres by three metres, making the rescue difficult.

A large quantity of debris and construction waste had fallen with the workers from the 30th floor to the 10th.

There was only one exit on the 10th floor, and the situation at the scene was unstable, with a danger of further collapses, making it difficult for many firefighters to work on the rescue at the same time.