The not so great escape: Korean visitor recaptured after trying to flee coronavirus quarantine in Hong Kong for third time

39-year-old man arrived in city on Thursday and was being transported by police to government camp in Fo Tan when he jumped from moving vehicle

The man had previously left compulsory quarantine in Yau Ma Tei hotel, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, without permission

2-MIN READ2-MIN

A plane flies over the government quarantine camp at Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 3:39pm, 13 Jul 2020Updated: 7:22pm, 3 Aug 2020

A visitor to Hong Kong jumped out of a moving van while being escorted by police to a coronavirus quarantine camp on Monday, the man’s third escape attempt in less than 24 hours.

The 39-year-old from South Korea, who arrived in the city last Thursday, exited the vehicle’s emergency door as it was travelling along the Tsing Sha Highway in Sha Tin, shortly after 6am.

He was quickly recaptured by two police officers wearing protective gear, and was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital suffering from a minor injury.

According to police, the man was being taken to the quarantine camp at Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan when the incident occurred, and would be sent there after he had been treated.

A security stands guard outside Chun Yeung Estate quarantine centre in Fo Tan. Photo: Winson Wong

A police source said it was the third time the man, who is a tourist guide, had left quarantine without permission since arriving in Hong Kong last week.

The man had initially been sent to a hotel on Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei for compulsory 14-day quarantine on Thursday.