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| Some people purposely go outdoors during stormy weather to witness the wrath of nature (HK Free Press photo) |
Police have arrested two women for allegedly endangering the life of an eight-year-old boy when they took him storm-chasing while Super Typhoon Ragasa was raging across Hong Kong, and Hurricane Signal No 10 was in force.
Officers said the two women, aged 32 and 36, along
with the boy, were caught on video being hit by strong waves while they took
selfies along the waterfront in South Horizons in Ap Lei Chau, on Wednesday
afternoon.
The women, one of whom was said to be the boy’s
mother, were described as friends. One of them is Indian and the other, Sri
Lankan.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Chief Inspector in Western District Cheung Wai-shan
told reporters none of the three was seriously hurt but the boy had scrapes on
his hands and feet.
Both women were arrested on suspicion of “ill-treatment
or neglect by those in charge of a child or young person."
"The government had
called on the public through multiple channels – before Ragasa hit Hong Kong –
not to go storm-chasing during the typhoon. But there were still people who did
not listen, putting themselves in danger," Cheung said.
"The police force strongly condemned such
irresponsible acts of those bringing young children storm-chasing under extreme
weather conditions."
Cheung said the police will review
footages uploaded online while Habagat was raging to see if there are any other
similar cases so they can take appropriate action.
She added that they had
received reports of people entering a closed beach in Tuen Mun during the No 10
signal.
In the morning of the same
day, a family of three was struck by giant waves as they were storm-chasing off
Chai Wan. The mother and her 5-year-old son were washed into the sea, and the
father jumped in to save them.
Their young daughter who
accompanied them sobbed loudly from the shore as she watched the horrific scene
unfold.
Luckily a group of people saw
them, and immediately launched a rescue operation. All three were rushed to
hospital where they are still confined.
The authorities have
repeatedly warned people to stay well away from the harbor during stormy
weather, or refrain from “wave chasing” activities as these endanger not only
them, but rescue service personnel as well.
Despite the warnings, many people have been captured on videos going outdoors in severe weather condition to chase waves or test the winds as if it were a sport.
