Hong Kong flood aftermath: police confirm identity of remains found near island as missing man, hours after discovery of another body
- Police recover body of man reported missing after being washed away by floods amid record-breaking rainfall that struck city two nights ago
- Discovery comes hours after drainage workers find body of another man, thought to be in his 50s, while working on channel
Hong Kong police have recovered the body of a man who was reported missing after being washed away by floods amid a record-breaking rainstorm that struck the city.
The man’s death was confirmed on Saturday as authorities deployed some 250 civil servants under a government mechanism to bolster disaster relief efforts.
The force said the victim’s remains were discovered in waters 800 metres (2,624 feet) east of Tang Chau island at 9am. Officers subsequently confirmed the body belonged to the man reported missing a day earlier when the downpour hit Sha Tin.
Divers from the Fire Services Department searched along the Kau To Hang river on Friday afternoon after receiving a report the victim was swept away by floods outside a house near Hung Kiu Lane soon after 1am.
Police said authorities would conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Hong Kong experienced its worst rainstorm in more than a century that started late night Thursday and carried on into Friday, triggering flash flooding that cut off roads and neighbourhoods across the city.
More than 140 people were also sent to hospital as a result of the weather event.
