LCQ7: Safety of hikers
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Question:
It has been reported that quite a number of members of the public like hiking alone, but accidents involving lone hikers have occurred from time to time in recent years. There are views that lone hikers are often unable to report to the Police for assistance promptly after accidents, causing delays in search and rescue (S&R) operations, and in the absence of reminders from companions, they are susceptible to underestimating trail risks or overestimating their physical fitness, thus resulting in accidents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the number of requests for assistance involving lone hikers in the past three years; the number of casualties in such cases requesting assistance, and the Government expenditures involved in the relevant S&R operations;
(2) whether it has studied the main causes of hiking accidents in the past three years; whether it has compiled statistics on the proportion of lone hikers and group hikers in such accidents, and the differences in the difficulty and duration of search and rescue between the two; and
(3) whether it will step up publicity to encourage hiking in groups, and classify dangerous paths as "accident black spots for lone hikers" to alert hikers not to go there alone?
Reply:
President,
Having consulted the Security Bureau, the reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon So Cheung-wing is as follow:
(1) In the past three years, the number of mountain search and rescue calls received by the Fire Services Department (FSD) and the number of casualties involved are tabulated below:
| Year | Number of mountain search and rescue calls received | Number of Injuries (Fatalities) |
| 2022 | 1 014 cases | 589 (20) |
| 2023 | 695 cases | 424 (15) |
| 2024 | 588 cases | 345 (15) |
The FSD does not maintain statistics on the number of cases of lone hikers seeking assistance. As the above rescue operations did not involve additional manpower and salary expenditure, the FSD does not keep a breakdown of the expenditure involved.
(2) and (3) The causes and nature of hiking accidents are complex and varied, apart from factors of terrain and environment, they also include changes in weather, hikers getting lost, and other personal reasons of hikers. Regarding the number of mountain rescue cases, the Government does not have the breakdown of the cases by the proportion of hiking alone versus hiking with others, nor the figure of the difference in the time used for search and rescue operations between those two kinds of hikers. However, hiking alone will have higher safety risks than hiking with others, and poses greater difficulty on search and rescue when accidents occur. The Government has been urging the public to hike with others instead of hiking alone through various channels, including disseminating relevant information through the "Enjoy Hiking" website (www.hiking.gov.hk) of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, producing online videos, and regular publishing reminder posts on social media platform, etc. The AFCD also collaborates with other relevant departments to enhance relevant promotion and education during hiking season.
Moreover, we continuously encourage hikers to download mobile applications relevant to emergency rescue (such as "Enjoy Hiking Hiker Tracking Service" mobile application, HKSOS, etc.), to raise the hikers' awareness of hiking safety, and enhance efficiency of rescue operations when accidents occur. The "Enjoy Hiking" website provides comprehensive information on various hiking trails, including trail length, overall difficulty, nearby facilities, for hikers to plan hiking trips that are suitable for themselves according their personal conditions. The website also lists out high risk locations with records of fatal and serious accidents in country parks, which are formulated based on previous records of serious and fatal accidents, causes of such accidents, as well as site conditions, with a view to reminding hikers to avoid visiting those areas. The list will be regularly reviewed and updated as appropriate.
Ends/Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:30
Issued at HKT 11:30
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