(Video) Dangling AC unit leads to daredevil repair attempt during HK storm

A shocking video circulated online captured a man climbing out of a high-rise window during the peak of Typhoon Ragasa to secure a dangling air-conditioning unit, igniting criticism over the extreme safety risks involved.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at the Kowloon Chamber of Commerce Building on Liberty Avenue in Ho Man Tin, while the city was under the highest No. 10 hurricane signal.

In the 45-second clip, a man believed to be an air-conditioning repairer is seen fastening his safety harness only to the window hinge before climbing out barefoot. He then stands on the external AC unit of the apartment below to try to fix the dislodged condenser, which was left swinging in the violent winds. Another man inside the apartment assists by holding the unit from within.

The person filming can be heard exclaiming, “He’s stepping on someone else’s AC! How can it support his weight?” and condemns the action as reckless.

Online commentators echoed these concerns, with one noting, “It’s raining, and the surface is slippery. If he falls, it’s game over”.

Police confirmed they received a report at 8.09am about the hazardous situation on the 20th floor of the building. By the time officers arrived, the unit had already been stabilized, the force said.

While some social media posts later showed the condenser restored to its original position, the footage of the risky repair sparked broader discussions about workplace safety during severe weather.

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Experts condemn "life-threatening" action

Industrial safety experts strongly criticized the method used in the repair. 

The Bamboo Scaffolding Association warned that the worker’s safety harness, attached only to a window hinge rather than a certified anchor point like an "eye-bolt," offered negligible protection.

“This is gambling with one’s life,” said the association’s external president, Timmy So Tin-ming.

Fay Siu Sin-man, chief executive of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, described the scene as “terrifying” and emphasized that the worker lacked essential protective gear, such as a helmet, non-slip shoes, and a properly secured lifeline.

“If he lost his balance, the window frame could not withstand the force,” she added, noting past incidents where workers fell after frames gave way.

Both experts urged the public to avoid DIY repairs during typhoons and instead contact emergency services for professional assistance.

(Marco Lam)