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[1] A lightning strike at a Hong Kong swimming pool has prompted calls for mandatory closures of outdoor public venues during thundery weather. On June 13, while a thunderstorm warning was in force, lightning struck a diving platform at the Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool. It shattered the corner edge and left a burn mark while swimmers were in the water.
[2] Nick Wu Kai-wing is the vice-chairman of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Life Guards’ Union. He said existing guidelines did not require public pools to close when such a warning was issued. “Depending on the actual conditions, if the weather gets bad all of a sudden – with heavy rain and loud thunder – lifeguards receive instructions from their supervisors and advise swimmers to get out of the pool, with the message broadcast as well,” he said. “However, it often takes time to clear the pool. Swimmers need to queue for ladders, and some cannot hear us.”
[3] Wu suggested that instead of waiting for clear signs of rain, thunder and lightning, supervisors should be empowered to clear pools when early alerts are issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. This would give swimmers sufficient time to exit in an orderly manner, instead of causing congestion at ladders and access points, he said. He also urged authorities to step up public education to ensure people were aware of the risks and got out of the water on their own rather than waiting to be instructed.
[4] Ho Wing-ip is an adjunct professor in electrical and electronic engineering at Polytechnic University. He said public swimming pools would likely have lightning-protection systems. Still, such measures could not guarantee full protection. Ho cited a 2023 incident in which a tower at a public housing estate in Tuen Mun, fitted with standard lightning arresters, was struck at a mid-level floor rather than the roof, underscoring the limitations of such systems.
[5] He noted that the Sha Tin pool was likely to have taller structures – including lighting poles and spectator stands – yet the strike hit the diving platform. Nevertheless, Ho said reviews and adjustments could be made to strengthen protections, such as increasing the number of lightning arresters, raising their height and ensuring all lighting poles around the pools were fitted with them.
[6] “The chance of a football pitch or a swimming pool being struck is similar, but the latter poses a greater danger because water conducts electricity ... and a swimmer could drown if they lose consciousness from a strike,” he said. Ho also urged authorities to consider making lightning-protection systems mandatory in new buildings.
[7] The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said outdoor swimming pools stayed open when a thunderstorm warning was issued, but pool managers monitored weather updates. If the warning indicated that thunderstorms would affect specific areas, swimmers must follow instructions to seek shelter indoors and outdoor activities were suspended, it said.
Source: South China Morning Post, June 14
