Hong Kong’s security chief will consider new legislation to curb storm chasing following the arrest of two thrill-seekers and an incident in which three family members were hurt while watching strong waves during Super Typhoon Ragasa.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung also warned on Thursday that taking children to such dangerous activities could constitute neglect.
Police said that two women were arrested for allegedly bringing an eight-year-old boy to take selfies and film the stormy seas at the South Horizons housing estate while the No 10 signal, the highest of the city’s typhoon warnings, was in effect on Wednesday.
Tang vowed to review existing legislation addressing storm chasing and consider enacting new laws after dozens of residents ignored government warnings and gathered to watch the waves during Ragasa.
“I feel heartbroken seeing parents treating [storm chasing] as fun and bringing their children along to watch the waves. You are actually endangering your children,” he said. “Think of your family and the rescuers who take a risk to save you.”
The two suspects, a 36-year-old Indian woman and a 32-year-old Sri Lankan, both Hong Kong identity card holders, were arrested on suspicion of ill-treatment or neglect of a child – an offence punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
According to a viral video circulating online, the two women and the boy were standing at the edge of the waterfront. A massive wave then swept them off their feet, engulfing the trio in seawater.
Police said the child was sent to the hospital for examination with obvious abrasions on his limbs.
The Post learned that the Indian woman was the boy’s mother.
The force added that it was investigating other similar cases and vowed to hold the relevant parties legally responsible.
In a separate incident on Tuesday, a family of four went to the breakwater at Ka Yip Street in Chai Wan to watch the waves. The No 8 warning was in force at the time.
The woman and her five-year-old son were swept into the sea by waves, prompting the father to jump in to rescue them.
The mother and boy remained in serious condition as of Thursday, while the father had been discharged from the hospital.
In May 2024, the government announced measures to strengthen public protection during typhoons and other inclement weather, with surfers and storm chasers among those targeted.
Anyone who enters a public beach closed during extreme weather faces a HK$2,000 (US$256) fine and up to 14 days in jail.
Tang did not disclose the number of law enforcement actions taken against storm chasers during Ragasa. He emphasised that the government aimed to raise public awareness of the dangers of the activity rather than pursue legal liability afterwards.
“Even if I introduce 10 new laws, you will be at risk if you do not comply with them,” he said, urging the public not to underestimate the danger of storms and waves.
Lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon said she supported legislation to address storm chasing, proposing that new laws could give authorities the power to cordon off high-risk areas during typhoon signals of No 8 or higher and impose fines on those entering off-limits zones.
“Places such as Heng Fa Chuen and the coast from East Tsim Sha Tsui to Hung Hom are high-risk, easily accessible and famous for wind chasing,” she said.
Kong also called for a substantial increase in fines for entering closed beaches during storms.
She said that stamping out storm chasing activities entirely would be impossible, but new legislation could serve as a deterrent.
Nick Wu Kai-wing, spokesman for the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards’ Union, urged the government to step up enforcement of existing regulations, calling the ones targeting surfers and storm chasers a “toothless tiger” as enforcement was rare and authorities mostly just advised violators to leave.
But Wu expressed concerns that any new legislation might require deploying officers to high-risk areas, which could also put them in danger.
Carl*, 36, who was in both Heng Fa Chuen and Tseung Kwan O to experience the winds and snap pictures when the signal No 10 was still in force, questioned how the government would define “storm chasers” and what legal basis it would use to formulate any new legislation.
“If a person who really needs to go out alone during the typhoon says he or she needs to go buy a meal from McDonald’s, how would law enforcement define this person? The definition of a storm chaser needs to be very clear,” he said.
Leung Wing-mo, former assistant director of the Observatory, also voiced reservations about enacting a new law.
“It addresses the symptoms, not the causes. Public education is paramount,” he said, stating legislation was a “last resort”.
Leung said some wind chasers conducted their activities as part of scientific quests, adding they were fully aware of typhoon risks and would take the necessary precautions.
*Name changed at interviewee’s request. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
