Cost to rescue two stranded hikers in Hong Kong runs into hundreds of thousands
Some 160 fire service personnel were involved in a 24-hour operation to save pair who went hiking during typhoon warning
A 24-hour operation to rescue two mainland tourists who went hiking during a typhoon warning likely carried a price tag of more than HK$344,000 in staffing costs alone, according to estimates.
According to a source, the lowest ranked fire service officer has an hourly wage of HK$215, meaning if each of the 160 staff worked for 10 hours at that rate, the total cost would be HK$344,000. This excludes the cost of equipment and other operational costs.
Fire service personnel are required to work 51 hours a week, meaning the average working day is just over 10 hours.
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Ten ambulances and 31 fire engines were also involved in the operation, which took 24.5 hours.
Another source close to the operation said not all fire service personnel were on the front line, and many took shifts.
