Parents charged with child neglect after family swept into sea during Typhoon Ragasa

A couple has been charged with child neglect after allegedly bringing their five-year-old son to watch waves along a breakwater in Chai Wan during Super Typhoon Ragasa last year, when all three members of the family were swept into the sea.

Police said a 40-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman have been charged with child neglect, following an investigation by the Eastern District crime squad. The pair is scheduled to appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on September 23 last year, when the Hong Kong Observatory had issued the No. 8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal as the powerful typhoon approached the city.

According to police, the couple had taken their son to a breakwater near Ka Yip Street in Chai Wan to watch the waves during the severe weather.

During the outing, a large wave swept the mother and the boy into the sea. The father then jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue them.

The mother and child were eventually rescued by a sampan boat operator, while the father was later rescued by firefighters.