Suspected lightning strike damages public swimming pool

A Sha Tin public swimming pool's diving platform is suspected to have been damaged by a lightning strike during the Amber rainstorm on Saturday morning. No one was injured.

The incident happened at Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool. These photos show that a corner of the No.2 dive platform was chipped and it's protective cover also fell aside.

On social media, the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards' Union says the suspected lightning strike occured at around 6:30 am, just after a few swimmers had entered the pool.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department says the main pool will be closed for maintenance until further notice.

During the hour of the incident, the thunderstorm warning signal was in force. Describing the incident as "rare," the Union's chairman says swimming pools can stay open even under the thunderstorm warning signal, but life guards will advise swimmers when to exit the pool depending on the weather conditions.

While the accident led to no injuries, lightning strikes have caused deaths in Hong Kong in the past. In 2019 and 2022, some hikers died after being struck by lightning.