More people in Hong Kong are hitting the city’s picturesque hiking trails as a pandemic past time, causing a worrying spike in hiking-related rescue calls, accidents and deaths.
Police say 21 deaths have been recorded from January to mid-August, more than double of the 12 hiking-related deaths last year. There have also been 124 hiking-related injuries since the year began.
“In recent months, there have been cases of hikers who were not prepared to cope with sudden weather changes and found themselves trapped, or who deviated from proper hiking routes leading to accidents,” the Hong Kong police wrote.
In the same period, police—together with personnel from the fire department, the Government Flying Service and the Civil Aid Service—have conducted 148 rescue operations.
There have been two hiking-related casualties in August alone, and 16 calls for rescue. Just last week, a 25-year-old man who was hiking with his friend near Ma Tai Stream in Ma On Shan lost his footing and plunged about 10 meters down a cliff. He was unconscious when police found him, and died later at the hospital.
Police appealed to the public to be mindful of personal safety when taking part in outdoor activities, and to make preparations including planning a route, paying attention to the weather and bringing appropriate equipment.
Read more: Gov’t lists several popular hiking sites as accident ‘black spots’ to avoid
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has listed over a dozen hiking locations that it warns are high risk and have records of fatal and serious accidents. The spots include the iconic Lion Rock Peak and Fei Ngo Shan, which is nicknamed “suicide cliff.”
Hoping to take in some fresh air and escape the coronavirus gloom, Hongkongers have been flocking to hiking trails and country parks on weekends in recent months. But pictures on social media have also shown messes left behind, including used masks, prompting some environmental groups to remind hikers to take their trash with them.
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