Hong Kong cleaner dies after being crushed by falling metal gate

Hong Kong morgue workers accused of bribery over dead bodiesHong Kong - Hong Kong officials ordered an investigation Wednesday after a cleaner was crushed to death when a security gate at a government hostel fell on her.

The 42-year-old Chinese Indonesian was trying to open the 90-kilogram gate at the hostel for the mentally disabled where she worked when it came loose from its hinges and collapsed on her Tuesday.

The woman was taken to hospital but was declared dead shortly after her arrival.

A spokesman for the Social Welfare Department, which runs the hostel, confirmed Wednesday that the gate had been reported faulty about five months ago and had undergone some repairs.

Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung described the case as "unacceptable" and said the government would pay for the funeral of the cleaner and donate 40,000 Hong Kong dollars (5,200 US dollars) to her husband and four children from an emergency fund. (dpa)