HK authorities bring prosecutions against 3 companies involved in MIRROR concert accident

Hong Kong authorities have initiated a total of 15 prosecutions against three companies that were responsible for stage management and safety system of boy band MIRROR concert last July. 

According to the official statement, the Labour Department (LD) has completed investigations in respect of occupational safety and health and employees' compensation regarding the MIRROR concert accident.  
       
The investigation revealed that the relevant occupiers and employers, including Engineering Impact, Hip Hing Loong Stage Engineering Company and Studiodanz Company, were suspected of breaching the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance and the Employees' Compensation Ordinance.

The involved offences include failure to provide the employees with safe plant and safe systems of work, and failure to notify the Commissioner for Labour of accidents and to take out employees' compensation insurance for employees, the statement read. 
       
Having consulted the Department of Justice, the LD has initiated a total of 15 prosecutions against the aforesaid companies under the relevant legislation. The LD applied to the court on 17 January for issuing the summonses, and the case has been scheduled for fresh hearing at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on 27 March. 
       
The LD's spokesman said, "The LD will not tolerate the above-mentioned illegal acts, and will strictly enforce the law and do its utmost to protect the occupational safety and health as well as the statutory rights of employees."

This comes as at least five employees from production house 菱藝廣告 (Art Design) and Hip Hing Loong Stage Engineering Company were arrested last November. Back in 28 July 2022, a giant screen was seen crashing into the performers during a MIRROR concert. A week later, the show's organisers MakerVille and Music Nation Group apologised for the incident. CEO of MakerVille Lo Ting Fai apologised in a live press conference at the hospital and streamed on Facebook, saying he would provide full assistance to the injured individuals and their families. 

Hong Kong authorities also decided to cease the use of mid-air mechanical devices as it looked to tighten up supervision of stage design. Meanwhile, production house 菱藝廣告 (Art Design), which also did work for the event put up a Facebook statement stating that it was not involved in the accident and was merely in charge of setting up the corners of the band pool, props production and stage decoration with mirror surface. 菱藝廣告 (Art Design) added that the misleading and false accusations online have affected the company's reputation.

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