2 Hong Kong surfers at red-flagged beach could be prosecuted, security chief says

Hong Kong authorities are considering prosecuting two people who were found surfing off a beach deemed unsafe during bad weather last week, the security chief has said.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) discovered two members of the public illegally surfing off Big Wave Bay in Southern district during an enforcement action on October 25, when a red flag was hoisted on the beach, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said on Wednesday.

“An investigation by the LCSD is under way into such a case and prosecution is under consideration,” Tang said in a written reply to a question from legislator Steven Ho Chun-yin.

The department raised red flags at several beaches due to big waves last week as Typhoon Trami edged towards Hong Kong.

Tang said the department had instituted one prosecution against illegal water sport activities at gazetted beaches during red-flagged periods in the past three years.

Four verbal warnings were issued to people who entered or intended to enter beaches for water activities when they were closed by the department because of hazardous weather during the past three years, he said.