A paramedic takes care of an elderly woman, after four coaches collide with a truck near the Kwun Tong entrance of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, in Hong Kong on March 24, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Four coaches and a truck collided near the Kwun Tong entrance of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel on Friday afternoon, injuring nearly 100 people, half of whom were students. Most of the injuries were minor.

The accident took place at 12.57 pm. The coaches were carrying about 200 passengers, most of them schoolchildren. Several people were sent to hospital for treatment. Local media reported that 87 persons were injured, including a tour bus driver in critical condition. 

Several fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars arrived at the scene. Injured passengers and schoolchildren sat on the ground while waiting for help.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

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Emergency personnel take care of injured victims, including students and the elderly, after four coaches collide with a truck near the Kwun Tong entrance of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, in Hong Kong on March 24, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The Transport Department announced that the Tseung Kwan O Road towards Tseung Kwan O, near the southern part of Tsui Ping Estate, is closed due to the accident. The department advised local residents who need to travel to Tseung Kwan O to consider using MTR services.

A cross-departmental assistance station, jointly established by district offices of Kwun Tong and Sai Kung, was set up at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong.

Firemen assist an elderly woman to leave a coach, after four large coaches collide with a truck near the Kwun Tong entrance of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, in Hong Kong on March 24, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Four coaches collide with a truck near the Kwun Tong entrance of Tseung Kwan O Tunnel, in Hong Kong on March 24, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)