Hong Kong emergency services are conducting a search for a 59-year-old male triathlete who went missing after entering the water during the swimming leg of the 2026 Summer Triathlon Challenge at Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre in Tai Po.

Police reported to the South China Morning Post that they received a report at 7:57 a.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, that the participant had entered the water but failed to resurface. The man reportedly entered the water around 6:12 a.m. but did not return to shore.

The incident occurred shortly after the Hong Kong Observatory issued an amber rainstorm warning at 6:10 a.m., the lowest level in the city's three-tier warning system, indicating squally thunderstorms were expected that morning. The man entered the water two minutes after this warning was issued.

Rainfall measurements showed more than 30mm of rain in most parts of Hong Kong, with some areas in Lantau and Sai Kung recording over 50mm, surpassing the threshold for a red rainstorm warning.

Marine police and Fire Services Department divers have been deployed to search the area for the missing triathlete. Authorities suspect the man may have drowned due to the hazardous weather conditions during the race.

Sources