A 46-year old man is believed to have drowned off a Hong Kong outlying island where he went for a drug treatment programme, the Post has learned.
The Nepalese man, a Hong Kong resident, had gone swimming with other people from Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre around 12.30pm on Monday, according to a source familiar with the situation.
The centre provides rehabilitation services for drug abusers on a voluntary basis, and is run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers.
A few minutes into the swim, another man who joined the activity found the victim, surnamed Gurung, floating on the water and unresponsive, the source said.
The other swimmer alerted staff, who immediately called police.
Marine police and a Government Flying Service helicopter were dispatched to the scene. The man was airlifted by helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan, where he was pronounced dead at around 2pm.
Police said he was believed to have drowned.
It was initially believed that the centre had organised the activity, but the source on Tuesday said an investigation had found residents could move freely about the grounds and staff were unaware of the incident until they heard the call for help.
The Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers said the victim had been receiving treatment on the island, adding that they “deeply regret” the incident.
“Three residents, including the deceased, took it upon themselves to engage in unauthorised swimming in the waters near the pier for around 3 minutes, despite multiple warning signs indicating that swimming in this bay is not allowed,” said Yip Siu-ping, the society’s assistant superintendent of social service.
“Immediately upon noticing the incident, our staff members acted swiftly to rescue the drowning resident and promptly called for assistance from the authorities and the Government Flying Service.”
Yip added that the society had fully cooperated with the police during the investigation.
Shek Kwu Chau is a small outlying island west of Cheung Chau. Access to the area is restricted and requires a special permit.
The Government Flying Service responded to about 37 drowning incidents throughout 2023, according to latest statistics available on its website.
According to a 2019 report by the Department of Health, around 40 people drown each year in Hong Kong. Nearly 74 per cent of victims were male and the average age was 57.
Last August, a 19-year-old drowned after he went for a swim at a popular natural pool in Sai Kung East Country Park, after splitting off from his three friends.
Earlier in June, two men drowned in separate incidents on the same day while engaging in water sports in the same area.