Intense rainstorm wreaks havoc in Hong Kong, killing one at sea and another in a lightning strike
- Heavy showers and strong winds lash city – a far cry from forecast
- Observatory issues its first red rainstorm warning of the year
An intense rainstorm caught Hong Kong unprepared on Saturday, turning day into night, leaving one man dead in a lightning strike and killing another in a boating accident.
The sudden onslaught of inclement weather prompted the Observatory to issue its first red rainstorm warning of the year as heavy showers and strong winds lashed the city, toppling trees, blowing down scaffolding, disrupting traffic and sending people scurrying for shelter while dark clouds reduced visibility to night-time levels.
A man and a woman fell off a sailing yacht from Sai Kung near the Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier at around 2.50pm. They were rescued about an hour later by a passing vessel.
Following that, a fishing boat capsized in choppy waters off Tung Lung Chau with two men and two women on board. Police said three of them were plucked from the sea and taken to hospital, where one man was certified dead. A search was under way for one man still missing.
In a separate incident, a man was struck by lightning at Cheung Shan in Tai O. He was unconscious when sent to Tuen Mun Hospital, where he was later certified dead.
