Three customs officers die after boat flips

Three customs officers - two men and a woman - died after their patrol boat flipped over as they chased after suspected smugglers off Tuen Mun's shores.

The boat sank after colliding with a vessel abandoned by the suspects in the waters near Lung Kwu Tan and Sha Chau at around 9pm on Tuesday, sources said. The suspected smugglers escaped.

The three were identified as Ng Wing-man, a 43-year-old sergeant and mother of three sons, skipper and acting sergeant Lai Chi-hang, 36, and customs officer Wong Cheuk-bond, 27, who had worked at the Customs and Excise Department for three years.

They were found unconscious inside the flipped boat by rescue divers, according to the Fire Services Department's acting marine division commander Yu Men-yeung.

The department received word of the collision at 9.14pm, with its first boat arriving at the scene in 29 minutes, Yu said.

The three customs officers were taken unresponsive to Tuen Mun Hospital and certified dead on arrival, he said.

The officers were wearing life vests when they were recovered from the water, he said.

Another two male customs officers, aged 27 and 30, were found in the sea and sent to North Lantau Hospital, having sustained minor injuries to their feet and jaws.

Authorities are still investigating why the boat overturned, Yu said. But sources suggested that the patrolling boat was trying to intercept two boats suspected to be smuggling frozen meat.

One smuggling boat was said to have been abandoned in the dark as the suspects boarded another one to escape, with the patrol boat crashing into the abandoned boat and sinking.

Chan Tsz-tat, assistant commander on boundary and ports, said the five officers left the marine base at Stonecutters Island for a patrolling mission on the small craft, which was put into use in 2016 and examined yearly, the last time in March.

Customs later discovered a smuggling boat loaded with frozen meat, with a dent in its bow. It was towed to the Tai Lam Chung Base of the Marine Police for investigation.

Acting chief executive Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu and commissioner of customs and excise Hermes Tang Yi-hoi visited the two hospitals to get details and met with the survivors last night.

Cheung said he met the families of the decrease to offer his condolences.

"I promise we will do all we can to assist the families. They have demonstrated the courage and responsible attitude of our civil servants," he said.

The Fire Services Department's psychological services unit will offer mental support, while the customs union will gather donations for the families.

It is understood that the customs boat was made in the mainland and designed for patrolling, intercepting and diving missions. Powered by two engines, it can reach a maximum speed of more than 90 kilometers an hour.

cindymt.wan@singtaonewscorp.com