MTR Train Evacuated: Power Bank Fire Causes Chaos on Tuen Ma Line

Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR) experienced disruption on Thursday morning, February 6, 2026, after a fire broke out on a train travelling on the Tuen Ma line. Approximately 400 passengers were evacuated from the train at Tsuen Wan West station following the incident.

Police received a report at approximately 8:35 am local time that a portable power bank had ignited on a train bound for Wu Kai Sha as it approached Tsuen Wan West station, according to police statements. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

Footage circulating on social media platforms showed a black bag engulfed in flames and emitting thick white smoke within a train carriage. Passengers are seen in the video observing the fire, with at least one commuter utilizing a fire extinguisher to attempt to extinguish the blaze.

The train came to a halt at Tsuen Wan West station, where the majority of passengers disembarked independently. An announcement was subsequently made over the train’s public address system, urging remaining commuters to evacuate the train approximately half a minute after the initial stoppage.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding fire safety within Hong Kong’s public transport infrastructure and buildings more broadly. In November of 2025, a devastating fire in Tai Po resulted in a significant loss of life and prompted investigations into building safety regulations and renovation practices. That fire, as of December 10, 2025, had claimed 83 lives, including one firefighter, and injured 76 people, with 25 calls for help remaining unresolved.

The Tai Po fire, which occurred in residential blocks undergoing renovations since July 2024, was attributed to highly flammable styrofoam material used in the renovation work. Authorities have since launched criminal investigations and arrested three individuals – two directors and a consultant associated with the contracting firm responsible for the renovations – on charges of manslaughter. A corruption probe was also initiated concerning the repair works, which carried a price tag of HK$330 million.

The MTR Corporation was also affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa in September 2025. The longer open-air sections of the MTR network, including the East Rail line, Tuen Ma line, and Airport Express, experienced disruptions during the storm. Flights were suspended, and limited cargo freight operations were maintained.

The latest incident on the Tuen Ma line follows the opening of the East Rail cross-harbour line in May 2022, which provides a through route under Victoria Harbour. However, it also comes amidst broader infrastructure developments and occasional disruptions across the region.

Elsewhere in Asia, infrastructure projects continue to progress, though not without incident. In South Korea, a train derailed on the Haeundae Beach Train line shortly after its opening in October 2020. In India, sections of the Mumbai Metro lines 2A and 7 were opened in April 2022, with plans for driverless trains on both lines. A cross-border rail link between India and Nepal was also inaugurated in April 2022.

The incident on the MTR line serves as a reminder of the importance of robust safety measures and emergency preparedness within public transportation systems, particularly in densely populated urban environments like Hong Kong. While the immediate situation was resolved without injuries, the event is likely to prompt further scrutiny of safety protocols and equipment standards on the MTR network.