<![CDATA[Search under way after Hong Kong canoer goes missing off Lantau while paddling to Tai O]>
Hong Kong rescuers were on Sunday night searching for a canoer who went missing off western Lantau earlier in the day.
The man had been part of a group of 11 adults and a child paddling seven canoes from the village of Yi O to nearby Tai O " a popular tourist destination known for its picturesque scenery and fishing community.
The missing man, Law Kwok-kan, 43, was in a blue, white and red canoe. He is thought to have disappeared near Nga Ying Kok.
The other canoers ended their outing at Tai O public pier and notified authorities of the incident at about 6.20pm.
Hong Kong's marine police, Fire Services Department and Government Flying Service launched a search, but as of midnight had failed to locate Law. The search was continuing.
A Tai O resident told local media that the sea had been rough in the afternoon, and Law might have been dragged away by the easterly wind.
The Observatory issued a warning of a strong monsoon at 7.15am on Sunday, which was still in force as of midnight. The weather authority said strong easterly winds with mean speeds exceeding 40km/h were expected. Gusts would occasionally reach gale force.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
