Extra hands at Lung Mei Beach on weekends over sea urchins and jellyfish injuries

The government said it has already deployed extra lifeguards during weekends and public holidays at Lung Mei Beach, after receiving multiple reports of sea urchins and jellyfish injuries after its opening on June 23.

As of August 15,  the Leisure and Cultural Services Department handled 110 cases and 51 cases of swimmers getting slightly stung or pricked after stepping on sea urchins and after touching jellyfish in water respectively.

Eighty percent of these cases occurred on June 26 and 27 (87 cases) and July 10 and 11 (41 cases). Between mid-July and mid-August, there were only six of such cases, with no swimmers injured in similar events in the remaining days.

In a written reply to lawmakers, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai said the department has, starting July 1, arranged two additional honorary lifeguards to provide supplementary lifesaving services during weekends and public holidays when the patronage of swimmers is usually high.

“Auxiliary Medical Service or Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Association have also been arranged to provide support to the first aid services at the beach,” said Tsui.

Currently, there are 13 lifeguards carrying out daily lifesaving work on a shift basis at the beach.

Meanwhile, he said authorities have adopted a number of measures including putting up within the beach area advisory notices, banners, water buoys, and making timely broadcasts to remind swimmers to be careful by not stepping on or touching sea organisms such as sea urchins and jellyfish.

Lung Mei Beach, a 200-meter stretch near popular cycling destination Tai Mei Tuk, opened to the public on June 23 after years of planning and controversy.

Its early construction plans sparked outcry from environmental activists, who say the government failed to take into account the presence of rare marine life—including spotted seahorses classified as “vulnerable” by an international conservation group—found at the site.

Despite the rainy weather, the beach was packed over the weekend. Some visitors complained about the beach’s lack of cleanliness, calling the water unclear with bits of rubbish found floating.