Sky lantern spotted floating over Mid-Levels West, witness calls police over fire risk

Two videos circulating on Threads early Saturday showed a sky lantern with an open flame drifting over Mid-Levels West on Hong Kong Island, surrounded by high-rise buildings.

A witness who reported the incident said the lantern was seen near 78 Bonham Road and King's College. The poster described seeing a flash of fire outside the window in the early hours and immediately calling 999.

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The poster criticized the act as "outrageous," saying the lantern drifted and nearly reached residential buildings several times, and warned that dry autumn weather meant a fire could have been disastrous.

The Fire Services Department received a report at 12.59am that a sky lantern had been spotted near 78 Bonham Road. Firefighters arrived within minutes, and the poster helped them find the extinguished lantern on the pavement, which was taken away. Police are investigating who released it.

Netizens condemned the person responsible for ignoring public safety. Under Hong Kong law, illegally releasing sky lanterns or other airborne objects with fire may violate the Forests and Countryside Ordinance or related laws, and offenders face fines and imprisonment.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓