Boy swept away while family watched waves in Zhejiang
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A nine-year-old boy was swept away by a large wave in Shitang town, Wenling, Zhejiang, as Typhoon Bailu approached the East China coast . Reports said a family of four had gone to the seaside to watch the waves despite warnings and access controls in place . Video circulating online showed two adults and two children trying to return across a seawall walkway when a wave knocked all four down, after which only three got back up . The Shitang town government confirmed the incident, and rescuers were searching for the missing boy .
Key Points
- Typhoon Bailu was forecast to make landfall between coastal Fujian and Zhejiang, with one report narrowing the zone to Zhoushan in Zhejiang and Fuding in Fujian .
- The incident happened in Shitang town of Wenling, Taizhou, with one rescue source saying it occurred at about 3pm on August 7 near Shitang Dam .
- Online video showed two adults and two children, believed to be one family, running across a stone-and-concrete causeway linking a nearshore islet to land .
- A powerful wave several metres high struck the walkway mid-crossing, knocking down all four people; when the water receded, one boy was missing .
- Rescue personnel said roads to the shore had already been blocked, but the visitors allegedly entered through side paths; another 10 tourists were later rescued by boat .
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is a stark reminder that wave-watching during typhoon conditions can turn fatal within seconds, even in apparently clear weather . It also shows that official roadblocks and warnings may not eliminate risk if people bypass controls, leaving rescuers to operate in dangerous surf .