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A Hong Kong fisherman has died after his sampan was suspected of being struck by lightning off the coast of Tseung Kwan O during a heavy rainstorm.
A sampan is suspected of being struck by lightning off the coast of Tseung Kwan O on August 27, 2026. Photo: Screenshot, via Facebook.The 67-year-old man surnamed Sin was found unconscious on his sampan at sea near the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Link, police said on Thursday.
Police received a report about the man at 9.14am and dispatched a vessel to the scene. At that time, the red rainstorm warning signal was in effect.
Footage captured by a passenger on a nearby fishing vessel showed the sampan drifting at sea during heavy rain, while a second clip showed a marine police vessel approaching to carry out a rescue.
Police told HKFP that the man had “multiple injuries all over the body” and that he was suspected of being struck by lightning.
A police vessel arrives to carry out a rescue. Photo: Screenshot, via Facebook.The man was brought ashore at the Tseung Kwan O South Landing Steps, where he was transferred to an ambulance. He was certified dead at the hospital and an autopsy is underway.
The Hong Kong Observatory hoisted the red rainstorm warning signal at 5:05am on Thursday, before lowering it to amber at 9:20am. The amber warning was cancelled at 10:15am.
Between Wednesday night and Thursday noon, the weather services recorded more than 5,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.
In June, a 59-year-old hiker was struck by lightning while ascending Lantau Island’s highest peak amid a heavy rainstorm.
The hiker was rescued in a conscious state and was sent to hospital for treatment.
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