Child at Risk! Two Foreigners Detained Watching Typhoon Waves

Source: OT-Team(G), 广州日报

On the evening of September 25, the Hong Kong Island West Police District held a press conference regarding a case of suspected "child neglect."

Chief Inspector (Crime) Cheung Wai-shan reported that on September 24, a video circulated on social media showing two adults with a young boy at the South Horizons waterfront in Southern District, where they were watching waves.

"In the footage, rough seas can be seen. One adult was taking a selfie with the boy when a massive wave, several meters high, suddenly surged onto the shore. All three were knocked down and submerged. Fortunately, when the wave receded, they were not swept into the sea, thus avoiding serious injury or life-threatening danger," Cheung said.

Through extensive CCTV review, police quickly identified the two adults. On the afternoon of September 25, they were arrested at a residence in Aberdeen. Cheung confirmed that both are non-Chinese women, one being the boy's mother and the other her friend. Both hold Hong Kong identity cards. The boy, aged eight, was taken to hospital, where initial checks revealed visible abrasions on his arms and legs.

Cheung stressed that the Hong Kong SAR Government had repeatedly urged the public, through various channels, not to chase storms or waves during Typhoon Ragasa. "In this case, we saw a parent knowingly exposing a child to high-risk behavior despite the dangers. Such disregard for child safety constitutes the offense of 'ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of a child,' under Section 27 of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance (Cap. 212). Upon conviction, offenders face a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment."

She added: "The Hong Kong Police strongly condemn the irresponsible acts of individuals who bring young children to the shoreline during extreme weather. With powerful winds and surging waves, even adults may struggle to withstand the force, making it impossible to properly protect accompanying children. Such actions seriously endanger minors' safety. Police will continue investigating similar incidents and hold those responsible to account."

Finally, Cheung reminded the public that under the Bathing Beaches Regulation, entering a closed beach is illegal and subject to prosecution, with a maximum fine of HK$2,000 and up to 14 days' imprisonment. On September 24, when the No. 10 hurricane signal was in force, police received reports of swimmers entering Golden Beach in Tuen Mun. "We are conducting further investigation and do not rule out prosecution," Cheung said.