Suspected smuggler dies and another rescued after speedboat hit-and-run in sea near Hong Kong
- Police believe two men from mainland China were attempting to smuggle frozen meat to Shenzhen when their wooden boat was struck
- Pair were found floating in the sea by marine police and taken to Tuen Mun Hospital
One suspected smuggler died in hospital on Thursday hours after he and another man fell into the sea when their boat was rammed by a speedboat and sank in Hong Kong waters.
A police source said the investigation suggested the pair were from mainland China, and had been trying to smuggle frozen meat from the city to Shenzhen when their 12-metre wooden boat was hit by the other vessel northwest of Lung Kwu Chau on Wednesday night.
The source said a grey speedboat with two men on board did not stop after the collision and it sped towards the direction of the airport.
An air-and-sea rescue operation began at about 10.15pm on Wednesday, when a marine police launch patrolling the area found the pair floating in the water. More than 10 life jackets and several boxes of frozen meat were also spotted nearby.
According to the force, the operation involved officers from the marine police and Fire Services Department, as well as the Government Flying Service.
Police said two men wearing life jackets were spotted floating in the sea and one was yelling for help.