Andy Lau narrowly escaped serious injury at a Shenzhen concert after falling into an open trapdoor. - Photo: SCMP composite/QQ.com
BEIJING: Hong Kong singer and actor Andy Lau Tak-wah narrowly escaped a potential accident during his concert in Shenzhen in southern China on September 9, raising national concerns for his safety.
While the 62-year-old Cantopop legend was performing and fully engaged with the audience, a trapdoor unexpectedly opened on stage.
Footage circulating online captured the moment when Lau, oblivious to the hazard, stepped forward and nearly fell into the open trapdoor, catching himself just in time as he dropped to his hands and knees.
Despite the near-miss, Lau maintained his composure, playfully kicking his legs while lying on the stage, much to the relief of his fans who could be heard gasping in the background.
In response to the incident, staff quickly came to his aid, with one reaching out from below the trapdoor to assist him and another providing a towel.
After getting back on his feet, Lau finished the song, telling fans that he had hurt his finger and needed to leave the stage to get it bandaged.
After returning, he said to the audience: “I promised to stay safe and healthy for you all, but now my finger is hurt. I’m sorry.”
Many fans recorded the incident, and the videos quickly went viral on mainland social media.
One fan expressed concern for the superstar on Weibo: “Lau is so focused during his performance that he forgets about his own safety.”
Another criticised the concert management: “The trapdoor opened when it shouldn’t have. On a dimly lit stage, there’s no way Lau could have seen it.”
This incident marks the third near-accident during the star’s mainland tour.
On July 5 in Shanghai, he attempted a risky stunt by sliding on his knees to the edge of an elevated platform, nearly falling off.
Lau later apologised to fans, saying: “I’ll take better care of myself. There will not be a next time.”
However, during his late July Beijing concert, he almost stepped off a 3-metre-high platform but fortunately glanced down and grabbed the railing in time.
An unnamed concert industry insider told Fengmian News that stage design flaws and poor management were key factors behind the incidents.
Lau made his mainland comeback after a decade, with the Shenzhen concert marking the final stop of his tour.
Since July 5, he has visited eight cities across China, performing 36 concerts.
After the Shenzhen concert, Lau posted a photo on Weibo, saying: “Thank you, everyone. See you at the next stop.”
His next concert is scheduled for October 3 in Macau.
Many fans have expressed concern for his condition, given the intense schedule of multiple high-energy performances in a short period.
However, one Weibo user criticised Lau, stating: “He has made enough money and shouldn’t push himself too hard with concerts. Maybe it’s time for him to retire.”
In response, a fan defended him, saying: “Lau will always be our King of Cantopop. We will sing with him till he is 120 years old.”
Stage safety incidents across China are not uncommon.
In July 2022, a massive video panel fell from the ceiling during the Cantonese boy band Mirror’s concert in Hong Kong, hitting two dancers, one of whom was left paralysed from the neck down. - South China Morning Post
