Search resumes for missing school boy

Christine Tang

Police, firemen and volunteers resumed the search for 17-year-old Diocesan Boys' School student Matthew Tsang Hin-chit, who has been missing for a week since last Wednesday afternoon.

He was last seen at Shek Mun MTR station in Mong Kok after leaving school during lunch break.

Tsang was heading towards Ma On Shan Country Park along Hang Shin Link in Siu Lek Yuen around 2:30pm that day, according to an update from police on social media. His whereabouts have been unknown since then.

A team of about 100 people, including officers of the police tactical unit, firemen, rescuers and parents assembled at Tate's Cairn Tunnel at 9am yesterday to continue the search.

Amid bad weather conditions in the past few days - a typhoon signal No 9 and black rainstorm signal - volunteers of the Hong Kong Guardians continued searching but have found no leads.

"We plan to search for him at the mines and mountain streams in Ma On Shan Village, using some useful exploration tools in the hope of finding clues," said Anson Icarus, founder of the Hong Kong Guardians.

The Hong Kong Guardians is the only local volunteer search and rescue team that had been searching for Tsang during typhoon signals No 8 and 9.

"Since Tsang walked through the gate at Shek Mun Station at 1.27pm on October 4 and went to the mountain in the direction of Hang Seng University at 2.10pm, it is estimated that he will reach the heart of the area in four hours," Icarus said.

Based on these clues, the Hong Kong Guardians conducted a search of said area on Monday.

Tsang's mother said on Friday that her son had been under mental stress and poor health conditions. Earlier last week he had insomnia and acid reflux. He had taken medication the night before and his mother had planned to take him to see the doctor on the day he went missing.

"Taking his wallet but without bringing his phone with him, he left school on his own. He has never been to Shek Mun before and does not have many hiking experiences," his mother said.

"We have been to Ma On Shan Country Park several times. I am not sure if this place is memorable for him," she added.

Tsang was last seen wearing his school uniform: a short-sleeved white shirt, black trousers, a black belt, black shoes and a black face mask.

Police are urging anyone who has any additional information about Tsang's whereabouts to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Hong Kong Island at 2860 1040 or 9886 0034, e-mail rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk or contact any police station.