Hong Kong hiker found dead five days after he went missing in Japan
Chan Ka-yu was last known to be trekking in snowy Tochigi Prefecture, according to Facebook post on February 6
A 29-year-old Hong Kong man who was missing in Japan for five days has been found dead.
Chan Ka-yu, who was travelling alone, last posted on Facebook at 3.10pm on February 6 – the day he went missing. The post showed his location at a lake in Nikko, Tochigi prefecture, where he had been hiking. In it he mentioned that as he was just going for a warm-up, he did not wear ice crampons and got into “trouble” as he did not expect snow to pile up to a foot high.
He also said he had been walking for two hours and had not seen anyone else. He also expressed concern that he might not be able to get out of the area before sunset, adding that it had begun to snow. But he told his friends not to worry.
Chan’s friends confirmed his passing, while TVB News reported that some of Chan’s family, who went to Japan to help find him, were told by police there that they had found his body.
A friend, a former colleague, said Chan flew to Tokyo on February 5, travelling 125km north to Nikko the next day. The city is known for its shrines, hot springs and mountains.
Upon arrival at his hotel, Chan left his luggage with the staff but did not check in, she said, adding he went out for a walk at the lake.