In partnership with: Hong Kong Talent Engage

Since moving to Hong Kong in the early 2020s, Kazakh ophthalmologist Mukhit Kulmaganbetov and German museum curator Silke Schmickl have both expanded their careers while the city continues to inspire them personally and professionally.

Source: South China Morning Post

Firefighters rushed to rescue two workers left dangling on safety harnesses more than 30 storeys above ground outside a skyscraper in Hong Kong’s Central district. The incident took place on Monday evening, after their suspended working platform apparently malfunctioned and dropped.

Source: South China Morning Post

Police have arrested a 34-year-old man for allegedly mixing rat poison into food left for stray cats in a Hong Kong park. Animal welfare volunteers had confronted the man following a two-month sting operation using hidden cameras. Officers who arrested the man said they seized a packet of suspected rat poison and a 14cm (5.5 inches) fruit knife at the scene.

Source: South China Morning Post

In partnership with: EQT

The grand finale of EQT Impact Challenge 2026 at Hong Kong’s M+ Museum in September saw some of Asia’s most promising deep-tech founders tackling challenges across climate and health.
The initiative, backed by global investment firm EQT and its philanthropic arm EQT Foundation, provides young companies with crucial early-stage investment alongside access to a global network of industry experts, investors and mentors.
After a seven-month journey that attracted more than 200 applicants and almost 6,000 public votes, five finalists took to the stage.
Advent Gene Therapeutics, which was named this year’s winner, has received investment of €500,000 (US$560,000) from EQT Foundation. The AI-driven biotech start-up develops next-generation viral vectors which enable safer, more precise and effective delivery of genetic medicines.

Okosix, which develops biopolymers that can reduce the use of plastic, and C2iTech, which hopes to use laboratory-grown cells to support the treatment of lung cancer , were named runners-up. They have both received support from Central Cove Group, the family office of Jean Eric Salata, chair of EQT Group.

SCMP Live of the South China Morning Post was an organising partner of EQT Impact Challenge 2026.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hong Kong police have arrested four teenagers seen in a viral video punching, slapping and swearing at a boy in an alley in Hong Kong’s Sai Wan Ho neighbourhood. The group has been charged with assault and gang-related offences.

Source: South China Morning Post

Amid the ongoing trial over the murder of 28-year-old socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung in 2023, we revisit some of the other shocking crimes in Hong Kong’s history.

Source: South China Morning Post

Amid the ongoing trial over the murder of 28-year-old socialite Abby Choi Tin-fung in 2023, we revisit some of the most shocking crimes in Hong Kong’s history.

Source: South China Morning Post

Twin Disruptions Hit Hong Kong’s MTR as Kwun Tong Line Falters Twice in 15 Hours

Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation has apologised after its Kwun Tong line suffered two separate rush-hour disruptions within 15 hours, both centred on Lam Tin station in East Kowloon. The back-to-back incidents — a trackside fire on Tuesday evening followed by smoking platform equipment on Wednesday morning — have prompted the government to demand a full investigation report within a month, raising fresh questions about maintenance standards on one of the world’s busiest metro systems.

Tuesday Evening: Fire Halts Evening Rush

The first incident struck just before 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 13, as evening commuters packed into East Kowloon stations. A fire broke out on a trackside switch near Lam Tin station, reportedly involving an insulating component, forcing the MTR to suspend all services between Kwun Tong and Tiu Keng Leng. Trains between Kwun Tong and Whampoa continued running at four-minute intervals, but the severed section left thousands of passengers stranded on crowded platforms and concourses.

Passenger footage shared on social media showed station alarms sounding at Lam Tin, with announcements instructing travellers to leave immediately due to a serious incident. Crowds swelled from around 6:00 pm as the suspension coincided with peak evening travel, and frustrated commuters posted photos of packed concourses and long queues at station exits. The Transport Department, notified by the rail operator, issued an advisory at 5:48 pm urging the public to allow extra travel time.

To ease the pressure, the MTR arranged free shuttle buses connecting Kwun Tong, Lam Tin and Yau Tong, and advised passengers to use alternative MTR lines or other public transport. Services gradually resumed at around 6:40 pm once the fire was extinguished, though residual delays persisted into the evening as the railway worked through the backlog of displaced passengers.

Wednesday Morning: Smoke Brings Fresh Chaos

Barely had the evening’s disruption cleared when a second incident hit the same line during Wednesday morning’s rush hour. At around 9:00 am on October 14, platform equipment at Lam Tin station began emitting smoke, prompting trains to skip the station entirely as a precaution. Fire services and rail staff were dispatched to the scene while the MTR scrambled to keep passengers moving.

The operator arranged a free shuttle bus between Kwun Tong and Yau Tong, with boarding available at Lam Tin from 9:24 am. Other bus operators reinforced services across key corridors: Citybus tightened headways on routes 601 and 619 from 9:30 am, while KMB bolstered routes 600, 601, 619 and 690 from 9:05 am, connecting affected areas to Central and Admiralty. By 10:04 am, the MTR announced the incident had been dealt with and Kwun Tong line services were gradually returning to normal, though commuters were warned to allow extra time as intervals and crowding evened out.

Government Demands Answers Within a Month

The two incidents in such rapid succession have drawn a sharp response from the Hong Kong government. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the government was “highly concerned” and has instructed the MTR to submit a detailed report within one month. The probe must cover maintenance and upkeep procedures for the equipment involved, with the goal of identifying the root cause and preventing recurrence.

Lee Kim-hung, the MTR’s deputy director of operations engineering maintenance, said inspectors would investigate whether the two incidents are connected. The company has pledged an in-depth investigation examining potential equipment overheating, operational issues and environmental factors from multiple angles, and will invite independent experts to participate. Detailed reports will be submitted to the relevant government departments in accordance with official requirements.

Mable Chan emphasised that the investigation should be thorough and comprehensive, covering not only the specific equipment failures but also a broader review of system security. The message from the government was unmistakable: two rush-hour failures in 15 hours on the same line section is not acceptable, and the travelling public deserves to know why it happened.

A Pattern of Pressure on the Network

The Kwun Tong line disruptions come at a sensitive moment for the MTR Corporation. Just two weeks ago, on October 2, the company agreed to pay HKD 2.25 billion to settle long-running disputes with the government over delays to the Express Rail Link and the Shatin to Central Link. The settlement closed years of claims tied to project delays and cost overruns, with the Express Rail Link’s estimated cost having risen from HKD 65 billion to HKD 84.42 billion.

The MTR’s operational challenges extend beyond construction disputes. The railway carries enormous passenger volumes daily, and any service interruption during rush hour cascades quickly across the network. The Kwun Tong line serves densely populated residential and commercial districts in East Kowloon, making it particularly vulnerable to crowding when services are suspended. Tuesday evening’s scenes of packed platforms underscored how little slack exists in the system during peak periods.

Industry observers note that Hong Kong’s rail network, while renowned for its reliability, faces mounting pressure from ageing infrastructure on older lines combined with ever-growing ridership. The Kwun Tong line, one of the system’s original routes, has been in service for decades, and maintaining its equipment to modern safety standards requires constant vigilance and investment.

What Commuters Should Know

For passengers, the immediate concern is whether further disruptions are likely. The MTR has not indicated any ongoing risk, and both incidents were resolved within hours. However, the government’s demand for a comprehensive equipment review suggests that maintenance procedures across the network will face heightened scrutiny in the coming weeks.

Commuters who regularly use the Kwun Tong line may want to build extra time into their journeys in the near term, particularly during rush hours, as the MTR works through its investigation and any resulting maintenance adjustments. The free shuttle bus arrangements demonstrated during both incidents show the operator can mobilise alternatives quickly, but they are no substitute for normal rail service on a line this busy.

The independent expert review promised by the MTR will be closely watched. If the two incidents prove to be related — whether through a common equipment defect, a maintenance lapse or an environmental factor — the findings could have implications well beyond the Kwun Tong line. For now, Hong Kong’s commuters will be hoping that the third rush hour in a row passes without incident.

Source: South China Morning Post

Excitement was in the air as the first travellers crossed between Hong Kong and mainland China using the revamped Huanggang Port facility. The joint project backed by Hong Kong and the mainland city of Shenzhen opened Monday after six years of redevelopment work. The border checkpoint is the first between Hong Kong and the mainland that uses a “joint clearance” system for immigration procedures.

Source: South China Morning Post

An urn holding the ashes of late Cantopop star Anita Mui Yim-fong has gone missing from a monastery on Hong Kong’s Lantau Island. The singer’s family say police have made “no progress” in the three months since the disappearance was reported. Mui’s relatives are now asking the public for help finding more information.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hong Kong police have arrested the parents of a 10-year-old girl after viral videos showed her carrying heavy bags of beer and being berated by an adult believed to be her father. The images also indicate the girl was in a school uniform and the man identified as her father was heard confronting bystanders who voiced concern about her welfare.

Source: South China Morning Post

SCMP managing editor Yonden Lhatoo argues that it’s not a competition, but a comparison and call for a spanking rather than caning.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hundreds of hikers flocked to Po Pin Chau, one of Hong Kong’s most popular coastal trails on Thursday, the first day of the National Day “golden week”. The city’s first countryside crowd-control scheme was introduced at the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung in early September, requiring visitors to make a real-name reservation in advance.

Source: South China Morning Post

Sweden’s Disgusting Food Museum opened its first exhibition in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The exhibition showcases more than 80 unusual foods from 35 countries, including ancient delicacies, traditional remedies and alternative ingredients. It runs at Airside mall in Kai Tak until November 26.

Source: South China Morning Post

The death of a cyclist in a suspected dog attack in Yuen Long last weekend has sparked safety concerns among many people in Hong Kong. Following recent canine attacks in the city, a dog trainer offers some safety advice on how to respond when confronted by aggressive dogs.

Source: South China Morning Post

More than 3,000 lanterns from around the world lit up Hong Kong’s Victoria Park ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival on Friday. The event showcased lanterns shaped like Hong Kong’s iconic food items, such as egg tarts and egg waffles. The show will run until October 4, 2026.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hong Kong police say they have found no signs of foul play in connection with 16 students who reported feeling ill after drinking free drinks distributed outside a school sporting event. Authorities say the “pinholes”, shown in a viral video, that squirted a stream of liquid when squeezed, have an innocent explanation.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into free sports drinks that sickened at least 14 students on Tuesday. The drinks were passed out during an athletics meet at a school. Videos shared online by students showed suspected pinholes in some of the bottles.

Source: South China Morning Post

Good Hope School in Hong Kong has withdrawn a controversial guideline allegedly banning the use of Cantonese in student graduation videos. Following online backlash, the semi-private girls’ school issued a statement on Monday saying it had heard concerns from the wider community and “fully and formally withdrawn” the guidance paper regarding next year’s Form Six graduation class video.

Source: South China Morning Post

Hong Kong police suspect a pack of dogs had attacked a woman who was found unconscious beside a bicycle in Yuen Long in the New Territories on Sunday. The 27-year-old victim died later that day. The incident comes less than one month after a similar canine-related case in the city.

Source: South China Morning Post