Hong Kong rescuers escort 17 people ashore after canoe nearly capsizes off Lamma Island

Hong Kong rescuers escorted 17 people ashore after one of the group’s canoes took on water off the coast of Lamma Island on Sunday morning.

Ambulance officers and firefighters rushed to waters off Wong Chuk Kok on the island after receiving a report at 8.14am that a canoe carrying six people had suffered a “water ingress”.

The six were among a group of 17 on three boats. The canoe stayed afloat during the incident, and no injuries were reported.

The force said the group was escorted to the marine police base in Aberdeen.

Police were investigating the cause of the incident, a spokesman said.

The island was experiencing southwesterly winds at speeds of 18km/h (11mph), with gusts reaching 24km/h at 10am on Sunday.