No cover-up in airport people mover incident: govt

The government has called on the Airport Authority to improve its reporting mechanism and enhance staff training, after the body did not immediately report an incident involving the automated people mover system last year. Back in November 2023, a girl was suspected to have stumbled and fallen into the gap between the platform and the train. She was helped to safety by passengers. But the incident only came to light 11 months later in October this year, with the government saying it was not notified. The Airport Authority was then ordered to submit a report within one month. In a statement on Monday, the government said the authority acknowledged procedural failures in reporting and investigation, but added it found no evidence of a cover-up. It said the the authority blamed a "lack of alertness in reporting and communication among the frontline staff", and as a result the incident was not "properly recorded" back then. Disciplinary actions have since been taken against the staff involved. The government noted that airport officials have pledged to take steps to address the situation. These include organising training sessions to strengthen the incident notification mechanism, and enhancing the CCTV system at the platform. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department also confirmed that the people mover system is safe in both its design and operation.