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South China Morning Post
23-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong leader praises rescuers, Kai Tak Sports Park team in civil servant awards
Hong Kong's leader has praised civil servants sent to earthquake-stricken Myanmar and a team that led drills before the opening of the city's largest piece of sports infrastructure for amplifying the government's commitment to 'continuous improvement and fearlessness in facing challenges'. John Lee Ka-chiu presented the Chief Executive's Award for Exemplary Performance to the groups in a ceremony on Wednesday. It was the first time two teams had received the honour in the same year since the award's establishment in 2023. 'I have changed the government culture to establish a result-oriented government,' the chief executive said at the event. 'I want leadership to take the initiative and allow all civil servant colleagues to fully utilise their strengths.' The high-level award recognises civil servants for meritorious work. The Hong Kong search and rescue team that was sent to Mandalay, Myanmar, in March this year comprised members of the Fire Services Department, Security Bureau, Immigration Department and Hospital Authority.
HKFP
20-07-2025
- Climate
- HKFP
Typhoon Wipha: Hong Kong hoists T10 hurricane warning – highest signal – as residents urged to stay home
The Observatory has raised the 10 storm signal, as hurricane-force Wipha descends on China's southern coast. After hoisting highest storm signal at 9:20am on Sunday, the Observatory said that the alert would probably stay in place for some time: 'Do not go outside and stay away from exposed windows and doors. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter.' The weather service urged the public to take precautionary measures. Wipha is set to skirt 50 kilometres south of the Observatory on Sunday. The water level rose to about 3 metres above Chart Datum at Tai Po Kau. Maximum gusts exceeding 103 kilometres per hour were recorded at Tate's Cairn. China's Hainan and Guangdong provinces remain on high alert after the storm brought rain and flooding to the Philippines. The annual Hong Kong Book Fair and over 500 flights have been cancelled. Hong Kong's Airport Authority urged passengers to check for updates. As of 9am, the government had opened 34 temporary shelters with 214 people seeking refuge. The government's 1823 hotline received four reports of fallen tress, and the Fire Services Department received 11. As of 8am, one man has sought medical treatment at public hospital during the typhoon period. Rain and high temperatures are expected throughout the coming week, according to the Observatory. Typhoon Signal 10 Hurricane force winds are blowing or expected to blow when the No.10 signal is issued – it is the highest warning signal the Observatory can hoist. Citizens are urged to stay indoors and away from exposed windows and doors. Temporary shelters for people with no safe refuge will be opened. All government facilities and all schools will be closed. There will be no bus or ferry services, but trains will run in the underground sections of some MTR lines, if conditions permit. If the eye of the tropical cyclone passes directly over Hong Kong, there may be a temporary lull. The Hong Kong Observatory warns that this lull will be followed by a sudden resumption of violent winds, so residents in a safe place should stay where they are. Climate crisis Tropical cyclones – which get their energy from warm ocean water – are strengthening and become ever more destructive because of warming seas. Over 90 per cent of excess heat in the atmosphere is ending up in oceans, according to NASA, as rising greenhouse gases prevent it from escaping to space.
RTHK
18-07-2025
- Climate
- RTHK
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm
Govt holds meeting to prepare for incoming storm Chief Secretary Eric Chan chairs a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department Authorities on Friday said preparations across government departments are underway as Tropical Storm Wipha edges closer to Hong Kong. Chief Secretary Eric Chan chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons, during which he coordinated preparatory works. One of the measures would see the Security Bureau set up an emergency monitoring and support centre if the Signal No 8 is issued. Emergency teams like the Fire Services Department, Police, Civil Aid Service, and Auxiliary Medical Service are also fully prepared and on standby in case of emergencies. The Transport Department will continue to operate a round-the-clock emergency transport coordination centre to monitor traffic and update the public on any disruptions. Meanwhile, the Drainage Services Department has surveyed and cleared about 240 flood-prone spots and deployed up to 180 emergency personnel city-wide.
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Man dies after plunging from building during blaze in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan
A man has died after falling from a building during a fire in Hong Kong's Tsuen Wan. Police said they received reports of a fire at Shek To House, Shek Wai Kok Estate, at around 4.05pm on Friday. The victim, reportedly in his sixties, fell from a building and was sent to Yan Chai Hospital, according to the force. He was certified dead at the hospital. Another woman was also sent to the same hospital after feeling unwell due to smoke inhalation. Around 80 people were evacuated from the fire. Police are investigating the cause of the incident. A government spokesman said the Fire Services Department received reports of the blaze at 4.06pm and extinguished the fire at 4.29pm.
HKFP
14-07-2025
- HKFP
Elderly man living alone found dead after early-morning fire in Hong Kong
A 78-year-old man living alone has been found dead after a fire broke out in a public housing unit in Hong Kong. The Fire Services Department (FSD) said on Monday that it received reports of the blaze in a third-floor unit in Wo King House, Lai King Estate, at 5.04am. The FSD sent 14 fire trucks and six ambulances to the scene, deploying 81 firefighters and ambulance officers in total. The fire, which measured about six by five metres, was largely put out at 5.20 am, it said. 'A male corpse… was discovered in the flat,' Wong Cheuk-kei, an assistant divisional officer of the FSD, said in Cantonese during a press briefing. Wong added that the 78-year-old man was found on a bed and was living by himself. 'We have also rescued three people in other units on the same floor. Fifty others evacuated themselves to safe areas,' he said. Senior ambulance officer Lai Hong-keung said the three people – a man and two women – who were rescued suffered from inhaling smoke. The man and one of the two women were sent to Prince Margaret Hospital, while the second woman refused to be hospitalised after she was treated at the scene, Lai said. Police said there was no evidence suggesting criminal activities linked to the blaze. The FSD is investigating the cause of the fire, Wong said.
