Body of missing Hong Kong corruption investigator found in sea near popular Repulse Bay beach
- Shek Wing-hang failed to return on Saturday evening after going snorkelling off South Bay Beach
- His body was found on Monday morning floating near a shark net just 15 yards from shore
A corruption investigator who went missing while snorkelling, sparking a full-scale search over the weekend, was found dead in the sea near a Hong Kong beach on Monday.
An elderly swimmer found the body of Shek Wing-hang, 43, floating about 15 yards off South Bay Beach in the Repulse Bay area just before 7.30am.
Shek, who worked for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), went to the beach with his wife, 42, and two daughters on Saturday afternoon.
A police source said the man, who was an experienced snorkeller, had gone out alone at about 4pm and had been expected back before sunset.
After he failed to return, his wife called police. A search covering land and sea involving a government helicopter and emergency services was then launched.
On Monday, a spokeswoman for the fire department said more than 100 firefighters and paramedics had been deployed over the past two days, and nine fire boats were sent to help in the sea search.
Shek’s body was eventually discovered near the shark prevention net at South Bay Beach. The spokeswoman said the body was pulled out of the water and taken ashore.
The police source said Shek’s wife had formally identified the body. Officials did not believe there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, the source added.
In a statement, the ICAC said it was saddened by Shek’s death, and added that the 17-year veteran had been dedicated to his duties.
“The ICAC commissioner extended his deepest condolences to Shek’s family, and stated that the agency will make every effort to provide assistance to the family,” the agency said.
