Hong Kong - An investigation was under way Thursday into how a 100-year-old tree that survived a typhoon in Hong Kong collapsed and killed a 19-year-old woman five days later.

University student Chong Chung-yin was walking with two cousins in the city's Stanley district on Wednesday when the 23-metre-high tree split in two and collapsed.

Chong died of head injuries caused by the falling tree. Her two female cousins, aged 11 and 12, escaped with only cuts and bruises.

Known as a coral tree, it was one of a number of old trees preserved in the middle of a shopping precinct in a busy, built-up part of the popular tourist district.

Officials said the tree was inspected and found to be undamaged after Typhoon Nuri scored a direct hit on Hong Kong last Friday, damaging 5,000 trees across the city of 6.9 million.

Around 400 preserved old trees across Hong Kong will now be inspected to make sure they are safe after the typhoon, the territory's Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced.

One swimmer died and 49 other people were injured when Typhoon Nuri raged through Hong Kong, the most severe storm in the high-rise former British colony in nine years. (dpa)