The task force led by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department on probing the serious incident at the Hong Kong Coliseum said that the snapping of a wire rope was caused by metal fatigue according to the laboratory examination result.

The task force held its third meeting today to discuss the causes of the incident and studied the latest information gathered.

It noted that further investigations are needed to find out the cause of the metal fatigue.

In addition, the hanging system of panels and its workmanship may also have caused the LED panels to fall. The task force will conduct further investigations in this direction.

The task force explained that it had earlier arranged a cherry picker for experts to inspect closely at a higher position the installations suspended at the top of the stage.

As the stage was dismantled, the task force also arranged an inspection and examination of all the hoisted installations which had been lowered.

Meanwhile, the department will hand over the arena to the next hirer tomorrow as scheduled for holding concerts.

The hirer has agreed to comply and make necessary arrangements to fulfil the three short-term measures announced by the department to ensure the safety of performers, staff members and audiences.

According to the measures, hirers are required to revisit and enhance the safety of their stage design and the mechanical devices they bring in. Daily inspection of these mechanical devices must be conducted by a competent person approved by the department to ensure safety.

Moreover, the use of suspended mechanical devices that swing, rotate or carry people should be ceased.