A 46-year old man is believed to have drowned on Monday off a Hong Kong outlying island where he went for a drug treatment program, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
The Nepali man, a Hong Kong resident, had gone swimming with other people from Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Center around 12.30pm on Monday, according to the news report.
The swim had been arranged and supervised by staff at the drug rehabilitation center, where the victim went for voluntary treatment, the source added.
About 10 minutes into the swim, another man who joined the activity found the victim, surnamed Gurung, floating on the water and unresponsive, the source said. The other swimmer alerted nearby staff, who immediately called police.
Marine police and a Government Flying Service helicopter were dispatched to the scene. The man was airlifted by helicopter to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan, where he was pronounced dead at around 2pm.
Police said he was believed to have drowned.
Authorities said they were still determining whether the death was “suspicious” and warranted further investigation, the source said, adding that CCTV cameras had captured the incident.
Shek Kwu Chau is a small outlying island west of Cheung Chau. Access to the area is restricted and requires a special permit.
The treatment center provides rehabilitation services for drug abusers on a voluntary basis, and is run by the Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers.
