Cleaning supervisor arrested after over 100 fish die in Tseung Kwan O estate pond

A cleaning crew supervisor has been arrested following the deaths of more than 100 fish in a pond at King Lam Estate in Tseung Kwan O.

The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, when six cleaning workers relocated fish and turtles from the pond outside King Tao House into three water-filled containers connected to a single air pump while carrying out cleaning works.

Police were alerted at around 7pm that night after a 45-year-old female resident discovered a number of lifeless fish in the unattended containers.

Officers later confirmed that 114 fish had died at the scene. Preliminary assessments indicated that the deaths were caused by insufficient oxygen.

Following further investigation, police arrested a 51-year-old woman surnamed Szeto, identified as the supervisor of the cleaning crew, on suspicion of cruelty to animals.

She has since been released on bail and is required to report back to police in late February.

The case has been handed over to the Tseung Kwan O District Crime Squad Team 1 for further investigation.

It is understood that the pond has been managed by Top Property Service Company Limited and Fai Kee Environmental Cleaning Limited since August 2025.

Reports indicated that the pond housed a total of 196 fish, mostly koi fish released by residents, as well as four turtles.