Hong Kong spectators brave heat for National Day fireworks
Thousands of residents and visitors gathered along Victoria Harbour ahead of a 23-minute National Day fireworks display, despite temperatures above 33C. Authorities expected about 260,000 people, while police prepared crowd controls and marine officials issued safety advice for spectators watching from boats.
Residents and tourists gathered along both sides of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour hours before a National Day fireworks display, braving temperatures that exceeded 33 degrees Celsius. By mid-afternoon, photography enthusiasts, visitors and local residents had claimed positions along the harbourfront. Many waited with umbrellas, folding chairs, picnic mats, food and drinks for the display, which was scheduled to begin at 8pm.
Authorities expected about 260,000 people to attend the 23-minute event. Vina Ke, a 24-year-old Taiwanese visitor, arrived at Wan Chai Harbour Promenade at 4.30pm with two friends. She said they had come early because they expected the area to become crowded.
Mainland visitors Victoria Yao and Betty Xu also arrived early near Wan Chai pier to secure a view. The students, from Xi’an and Anhui respectively, said they were prepared to wait for several hours, although Yao described the heat as intense. Xu said she was curious about the designs planned for the display.
The visitors’ trip coincided with mainland China’s National Day “golden week” holiday. Ke said hotel prices had been high during the week-long trip to Hong Kong and Macau. The event, titled “Eternal Radiance”, marked the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
It was planned in eight scenes, with 31,888 pyrotechnic shells to be launched from nine firing points on three barges and six floating pontoons. The display cost HK$18 million, or about US$2.3 million, and was sponsored exclusively by Sun Life Hong Kong. It was coordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.
Hong Kong police began closing parts of Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and Wan Chai from 5pm in anticipation of crowds moving towards the harbour. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department asked spectators to take their rubbish with them. The Marine Department advised people watching from the water to pay attention to marine safety.
The supplied material describes preparations and public expectations before the event. It does not report the display’s outcome, attendance figure or any incidents during the fireworks.
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