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Timmy Sung

Samuel Chan

Some 20 Indonesians fell ill under yesterday's scorching sun while celebrating their national day in Victoria Park, as the effects of Typhoon Goni sent Hong Kong temperatures soaring.
Nine people required hospital treatment after experiencing headaches and other heatstroke symptoms on a day when the Observatory's hot weather warning was in place from early morning and temperatures pushed record levels recorded on August 8.
In urban areas, the Observatory recorded temperatures over 34 degrees Celsius, while in Sheung Shui they hit 37 degrees.
Victoria Park - a popular outdoor gathering spot for Indonesian domestic helpers on their weekly day off - was playing host to a large-scale outdoor celebration featuring popular singers from their homeland, as it has done for the past 10 years. Some of those standing in the tightly-packed crowd sought help and were taken to tents behind the main stage for first aid.

"The heat is very serious. There have always been so many people participating in the event, but I have never seen so many needing medical help," said Annie Setyo, an Indonesian who joined the party. 
"It was not as hot last year," added her friend,  Bella Aquastina.
Event organiser the Indonesian consulate finished the activities two hours early at 3pm
Chalief Akbar, Indonesia's consul general, expressed sadness that people fell ill and said organisers were caught out.
"The weather is very unpredictable. We were not expecting the weather today to be so hot," Akbar said. "Next year if this weather still occurs, we will try to get more fans for the people."
He noted that the organisers had put two intermissions in the show so people could take a rest and also distributed water to keep the crowd cool.

Weather forecaster Chan Sai-tick explained the hot weather yesterday was caused by a continental airstream from the mainland, which was dragged to the coast of Guangdong in part by Typhoon Goni, which is moving east of Taiwan.
"There was little cloud over Guangdong and the continental airstream from mainland China made the day very hot," Chan said.
A similar weather pattern saw temperatures in Hong Kong hit the highest levels ever recorded on August 8. The Observatory expects the next couple of days to remain hot and sunny.


Indonesians suffer heatstroke during Independence Day celebrations as Hong Kong swelters in 37C

Typhoon Goni sent Hong Kong temperatures soaring as many Indonesians celebrated their national day in Victoria Park.

Indonesian maids replenish themselves as they celebrate the 70th anniversary of Indonesian National Day under hot weather at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay. Photos: Nora Tam

Victoria Park was playing host to a large-scale outdoor celebration for Indonesian National Day.

Hong Kong faces sweltering heat and haze as twin typhoons enter region

A woman uses a paper fan to protect herself from the sun during a hot day in Hong Kong. Photo: May Tse

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment