The government has ordered the suspension of construction on flats in Kwun Tong for its Starter Homes Scheme after an inspection found essential reinforcement bars were missing.

Online outlet HK01 had earlier reported that at least four steel bars were missing at block three of CK Asset's Anderson Road project.

The Buildings Department said on Friday that it was tipped off in late August about the suspected substandard installation of bars.

It said it sent officers to the site for an inspection and problems were found.

"Officers found on 26th September that workers were bending bars on the 29th floor on block three, and six of the beams' steel bars installed were less than what were required in the building layout," the department said in a statement

"However, there is no obvious danger to the building's overall structure."

The department said because it didn’t get “a reasonable explanation” immediately from the structural engineer and a representative of the contractor, officials demanded a detailed investigation and repair report, and for the engineer to conduct extra tests on other floors of the block.

The department said construction of the whole project was suspended last Saturday.

It said building can only resume when it is satisfied with the correction work, investigation reports and improvement measures regarding site monitoring.

Officials added that they are looking into seven other projects the contractor involved is working on, and they will step up on-site quality and safety inspections.

CK Asset said in response that the block's bar bending and reinforcement work is still ongoing, and the on-site engineer is yet to conduct inspections.

The developer said it has instructed its consultants to learn more about the building layout so as to handle the matter properly and ensure safety.