Mainland Chinese man, sister drown in Hong Kong after she was swept into sea at ‘unknown paradise’ and rescue bid ends in tragedy
- Man, 55, dies in rescue attempt in Shek O after he and brother dive into sea to try and save sister, 57
- Police say other brother involved in rescue bid managed to swim ashore and survived
A mainland Chinese man and his sister drowned in Hong Kong on Sunday when he and their older brother tried in vain to save her after she was swept into the sea while taking photos at a spot dubbed an “unknown paradise” by tourists.
The 57-year-old woman’s two daughters, aged 27 and 29, watched in horror as their uncles dived into the water after she was carried away by a wave at Tai Tau Chau in Shek O.
A source said initial investigations suggested the woman “was standing at the edge of a cliff taking photographs when she was swept away by a large wave”. She had been hiking in the area with her two brothers, two daughters and another woman traveller from the mainland.
A police spokesman said a relative of the victims alerted the emergency services at about 1pm and told officers the woman had fallen into the water and her two brothers had dived in after her.
Emergency personnel later pulled her and her younger brother, 55, out of the water about 20 metres offshore. Both were unconscious.
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The pair were rushed to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan, but they were declared dead just after 2pm.
The other brother, holder of a Hong Kong ID card and aged 61, was injured but managed to swim ashore, police said.
The force’s Chai Wan division is investigating the case.
Tai Tau Chau is a small islet in Shek O with trails of about 2.5km on it, allowing visitors to enjoy leisurely strolls, casual rock climbing, scenic sea views and a rocky coastline.
Several posts on popular Chinese lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu recommended Tai Tau Chau as “a hidden gem in Hong Kong” and “an unknown paradise”, including “Lovers’ Bridge” connecting the islet and Shek O, as well as clusters of granite rocks eroded by the sea over the years.
Hiking expert Conway Leung Nim-ho said the surrounding oddly shaped rocks on the shoreline drew the attention of locals and tourists who might be on a stroll without taking safety precautions.
“The rocks by the sea are covered in moss, making it easy to slip and fall into the water if one is not careful,” said Leung, a rock climbing coach.
“There is a risk of drowning if the tide rises. Even if the tide recedes, falling into the sea can result in injuries from colliding with the rocks in the water.
“The spot is very popular because it is easily accessible by public transport and a lot of mainland tourists come here learning about the place on social media, without knowing the potential risks of staying at the coastline without the proper gear.”
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Chung Kin-man, a veteran mountaineer who conquered Mount Everest in 2003, said the sudden waves in the area always caught visitors off guard.
“Many people enjoy going to the rocky coastline or even taking wedding photos. They completely disregard the size and suddenness of the waves generated by passing ships,” Chung said.
“If a wave comes crashing in, it can easily cause them to hit their head, or worse, fall into the sea. Even if you know how to swim, it won’t necessarily help in such a situation. It also poses challenges and risks for paramedics.”
