Chaos erupted across multiple MTR stations on Thursday as a power supply disruption brought the Tseung Kwan O Line to a complete halt, leaving thousands of passengers stranded during the evening rush hour.

Police told RTHK they received a report shortly after 5pm that a loud explosion was heard on an MTR train travelling from North Point to Quarry Bay.

Earlier in the evening, RTHK reporters also saw multiple fire engines stationed outside Quarry Bay Station, where firefighters had entered the station.

The railway operator said its engineers are fixing the problem and that it has arranged free shuttle buses to pick up affected passengers.

At North Point station, a Tseung Kwan O resident surnamed Sze said he had been stranded for more than an hour.

He criticised the MTR's handling of the situation, saying he was redirected to Kwun Tong which added hours to his journey.

"The main issue is the shuttle buses. During rush hour, we can't even get on the buses. We can't afford taxis either, so we have no way to get home," Sze said.

"For elderly people, it's impossible for them to go all the way to East Tsim Sha Tsui to take the shuttle buses. They'd be dizzy by the time they get back."

Ms Chaturvedi, who lives in Lohas Park – one of the terminal stations of the Tseung Kwan O Line – said she struggled to find alternative ways back home, and that MTR staff were not giving enough instructions.

"Bus is not a good option for me. I'm thinking to take the tram and then I will go to Tai Koo and then I will [go from there]," she told RTHK.

"[There was] no announcement. I don't know what happened. That's what I've been trying to find out but I think the situation will need more time to be [resolved]."

The railway giant had also urged commuters to consider using alternative transport routes.