A lightning strike hit a diving platform at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool on Saturday morning while a thunderstorm warning was active and swimmers were in the water.
The strike shattered the corner edge of the platform and left a burn mark. The incident occurred at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool.
Nick Wu Kai-wing, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards’ Union, said existing guidelines did not require public pools to close when a thunderstorm warning was issued. He noted that lifeguards advise swimmers to exit based on actual conditions but that clearing the pool can take time.
Experts told the South China Morning Post that extra caution was needed at venues such as swimming pools because water is highly conductive and lightning-protection systems are not foolproof. They called for mandatory closures of outdoor public venues during thundery weather.
