Lamma power station's three chimneys cast long shadows
Lamma may still be partitioned from its power station, but recent tragedy has made Hongkong Electric an even closer neighbour
Lamma is used to the paradox: a pristine setting devoid of chain stores that also happens to be the site of a power station responsible for illuminating Hong Kong Island.
To most of Lamma's residents, particularly those living in the settlement on the north, at Yung Shue Wan, Hongkong Electric has been little more than three tall chimneys. These dominate the island's skyline, rising from a cordoned-off peninsula that may be part of the island but is, in the words of one Lamma-ite, "sort of separate".
That changed dramatically earlier this month, when a launch owned by the power company collided with a Lamma ferry, killing 39 people on the National Day holiday.
Few islanders have much to do with the power station, and none of those who died in the October 1 accident lived on Lamma. However, Lamma has nevertheless embraced its neighbour's pain as their own.
A 75-year-old woman who has lived on Lamma ever since she was born there, and who wished to be identified only as Cheng, said the disaster had saddened her deeply. "We are the same island; I know some people living here who have worked at Hongkong Electric after they built the plant."
