The Labour Department has launched an inquiry into today's Causeway Bay industrial accident that killed two workers and injured five others.

Fire Services Department Hong Kong Central Divisional Commander Kong Ping-lam said that at about 9.45am a crane collapsed on a demolition site on Hennessy Road, trapping several workers.

He said the site had a lot of construction waste and firemen had to secure the collapsed crane before launching the rescue operation.

The casualties were sent to Queen Mary, Ruttonjee and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospitals. Of the survivors, two are in serious condition, two are stable and one has been discharged.

Follow-up action

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said he is highly concerned about the incident, adding the Labour Department will assist the victims' families.

He said all works at the site have been suspended and the department will inspect similar sites to ensure workers' safety.

Mr Cheung said the number of industrial accidents in this year's first quarter was lower than a year earlier, adding that a multi-pronged approach will be taken to boost work safety.