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Full investigation on landslips underway
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The Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Civil Engineering Department is sending out questionnaires and appealing to individuals who have witnessed the landslips at Chai Wan and Aberdeen to come forward to assist in their investigations.
They are requested to contact the GEO on 2762 5354.
Meanwhile, clearance operations are continuing at the two landslip sites.
A footpath along Fei Tsui Road has been cleared but the road remains closed. The Hong Kong Baptist Church has been closed because of debris resting against the church building and concern over possible further slope movements.
Aerial photographs of the site have been taken and detailed ground survey of the failed slope and surroundings has started. A team of four geotechnical engineers and two technical officers are investigating the failure.
The GEO investigation team will be gathering all relevant background technical information from existing photographic and documentary sources next week. The team has also started a detailed ground investigation, involving geological mapping, assessment of groundwater conditions, sampling and testing of soil and rock materials. The investigation will take several months to complete and a preliminary report on the findings will be issued in about two weeks.
In response to news of the discovery of two bodies from the landslip debris at Aberdeen, the acting Head of the GEO, Mr John Massey, said that he was grieved to learn of further loss of life and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and friends. He pledged that the GEO would continue to make every effort to assist with the clearance operations.
Mr Massey said that a full investigation of the circumstances leading to the tragedy had started and undertook to identify the cause of the failure.
At the base of the failed slope in Aberdeen, clearance operations have been made easier since heavy rain stopped yesterday, but Shum Wan Road remains blocked. A large volume of debris is still resting against the displaced shipyards.
An investigation team of six geotechnical engineers and two technical staff has been set up. Land surveyors have been making accurate plans of the site, and additional aerial photography will be undertaken to assist the survey work.