Full Breakdown
Power Outage in Kwai Chung Housing Estate Affects 760 Households
2/16/2026, 6:28:47 AM
Overview of the Incident
On the evening of January 21, 2023, a significant power outage occurred at Ha Kwai House in the Kwai Chung Estate, affecting approximately 760 households. The outage, which lasted four hours, was reportedly triggered by a suspected water leak that caused a power trip. The city's largest electricity provider, CLP Power, confirmed that the disruption began around 9:13 PM and power was restored by 1:30 AM the following day.
Impact on Residents
During the outage, residents experienced complete darkness in their homes, with only the stairwells and parts of the lobby illuminated. Many residents chose to wait outside their apartments due to the lack of electricity. The situation escalated when an elderly woman, reliant on a breathing machine, called for assistance at 9:41 PM as her device was running low on power. Emergency services responded promptly, dispatching firefighters and an ambulance; however, the woman did not require hospitalization.
Official Response
CLP Power dispatched staff to investigate the cause of the outage. Following their assessment, they confirmed that the power facilities were operating normally after the restoration of electricity. The company has not provided further details regarding the suspected equipment fault that led to the incident.
Criticism & Opposition
While the immediate response to the outage was swift, some residents expressed concerns about the reliability of the power infrastructure, especially given the timing just before Lunar New Year’s Eve, a significant period for many families. Critics argue that such outages can pose serious risks, particularly for vulnerable individuals who depend on medical equipment.
Verbatim Quotes
“41pm, an elderly woman called for help, saying her breathing machine was running low on power.” — Eyewitness Account
What's Next
Following this incident, residents and local authorities may call for a review of the electrical infrastructure in the Kwai Chung area to prevent future outages, particularly during critical times. CLP Power's response and any subsequent measures taken will be closely monitored by the community.
