Elderly man drowns at Hong Kong beach where lifeguard services had been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic
- Lifeguard services are only provided at 16 of a total of 41 beaches between the hours of 9am and 6pm during the Covid-19 pandemic
- The victim appeared to have been exhausted by strong currents, and disappeared after being washed into the shark prevention nets at Approach Beach
The Fire Services Department said it received a report of the drowning at Approach Beach in the New Territories’ Ting Kau at 10.29am, and dispatched 31 firefighters and six paramedics who arrived minutes later.
The elderly man was unconscious after being brought to shore, and was sent to Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan, where he was confirmed dead, according to police.
The force said a preliminary investigation indicated the man had drowned while swimming at the beach.
According to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, lifeguard services are only provided at 16 of a total of 41 beaches between the hours of 9am and 6pm during the Covid-19 pandemic. Three of the 41 beaches are closed outright.
Lifeguard services at Approach Beach are currently suspended.
Anson Tang Tsz-on, chairman of the 600-strong Hong Kong Government Lifeguards General Union, said that despite the department’s appeal to the public not to swim at unattended beaches, 20 to 30 people were doing just that when Saturday’s accident occurred.
