A Hong Kong tram derailed in the early hours of Monday (Oct 12), mounting the pavement and crashing into the shopfront of a restaurant in Shau Kei Wan on Hong Kong Island’s eastern side.
The incident occurred on Shau Kei Wan Main Street East, where the tram reportedly went off the tracks while returning to its terminal. An overhead cable was suspected to have come loose, although the exact cause of the derailment has not been confirmed.
Photographs shared on social media showed the tram carriage straddling the tracks and pavement, with one end lodged against the restaurant’s frontage. Debris could also be seen around the scene.
Police and firefighters responded to the incident and inspected the area, including the tram, overhead cables and nearby buildings, to check for potential electrical hazards and other safety risks.
No injuries were reported, according to the initial report.
Tram removed as authorities investigate
The tram operator dispatched personnel to inspect the tracks and arranged for a crane truck to remove the derailed carriage.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Authorities have not confirmed whether the suspected cable issue contributed to the derailment.
Similar incident raises questions over safety
The latest derailment also draws attention to a similar incident in the same area in November 2025, when a tram leaving the Shau Kei Wan terminus mounted the pavement and damaged railings. No injuries were reported in that incident either.
However, it remains unclear whether the two derailments share a common cause.
Hong Kong’s historic tram network operates through densely built-up urban streets, where trams run close to pedestrians, shops and other road users. Incidents involving derailed carriages can therefore pose risks beyond the tracks themselves.
Investigators will need to establish what caused Monday’s derailment before determining whether any additional safety measures are necessary.
