UPDATE*: A group of women enjoying a hike caused a stir online after video of them posing in what appeared to be a dangerous position on the edge of a cliff at Kowloon peak were circulated online.
The video, which first appeared on a Facebook group for hikers on Sunday, shows one woman looking like she’s hanging onto the edge of a cliff as her friends take a photo. After her photo is taken, she then climbs back up to the top of the ledge.
However, one Facebook user, who said he was with the group, contacted Coconuts HK and said he wanted to clarify the situation, which he said had been misrepresented.
Via message, Kamal Khan said the footage was a case of trick photography. He said, though not visible in the frame, their was a sizeable ledge that would have stopped any fall from the peak.
Khan said the footage, taken in May, was a case of a “trick of photography”
“But when u talking pictures from .. one side… (it) look dangerous,” he said. But he pointed out the ledge behind was ‘substantial”. “There is a lot space,” he added.
The person who originally posted the video, Ng Tim, wrote that the group of women were domestic workers enjoying their day off.
Commenters, upon seeing the picture, criticized the woman, believing she was putting her life at risk. Others, though, were more understanding saying and that “everyone is allowed to go hiking.”
Hiking safety is certainly a hot topic in recent times. In May, the authorities announced that the number of hiking-related deaths in 2017 doubled compared to the year before.
The area was among several popular hiking spots listed by the authorities as accident “black spots” at the beginning of the year.
And certainly, some commenters remarked that other hikers have done much worse by posing for photos in more precarious positions.
One such exampled includes this group of men who were spotted clinging onto the edge of the ominously-named ‘Suicide Cliff’ in January.
So, where ever you choose to trek this weekend. Please, stay safe.
Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect information from a person who was with the group when the photos were taken.
