A 76-year-old man died late Sunday night in the Wong Tai Sin district of Hong Kong after what authorities suspect was a suicide attempt within a public housing complex. Police and emergency services responded to a distressed call shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday, May 16, discovering the victim, surnamed Chan, following a fall in the Feng Tak Estate. The incident site was an open courtyard situated between the Pun Fung House and Ngan Fung House residential blocks.
The investigation began after a woman—believed to be the man’s wife—alerted police, expressing concern that her husband might attempt to take his own life. Upon arrival, rescue personnel located Mr. Chan deceased on the ground below. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation Underway at Feng Tak Estate
Police confirmed they recovered an apparent suicide note near the location where Mr. Chan is believed to have fallen. Initial observations suggest the man accessed the stairwell between the two high-rise buildings before the incident.
Authorities are now focused on determining the underlying reasons for the tragedy. While law enforcement currently suspects suicide, a formal cause of death will not be confirmed until a post-mortem examination is completed. The precise circumstances leading up to the fall are still under rigorous investigation by local police units.
This incident underscores persistent concerns regarding mental health challenges and access to support within Hong Kong’s dense urban centers, particularly among the elderly population in public housing estates. The speed and quiet nature of tragedies of this kind often leave communities grappling with shock and unanswered questions.
Accessing Mental Health Support
For those experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, immediate support is crucial. Multiple confidential resources are available 24/7 across Hong Kong.
Relevant helplines offering specialized assistance include:
- “Emotional Support” Mental Health Support Hotline (情緒通): 18111
- The Samaritans Hong Kong: 2896 0000 (Multi-lingual services available)
- Suicide Prevention Services (香港撒瑪利亞防止自殺會): 2389 2222
- Caritas Harmony House (明愛向晴軒): 18288
Additionally, specialized services for different demographics are available. The Hospital Authority operates a Mental Health Hotline at 2466 7350. For youth and adolescents, the Jockey Club Youth Emotional Health Online Support Platform (“Open 噙”) provides resources at http://www.openup.hk.
Authorities urge anyone aware of someone struggling with mental health issues to utilize these resources immediately to prevent further tragedies. The ongoing police inquiry into the Wong Tai Sin incident continues, with a focus on delivering a definitive conclusion regarding the circumstances of Mr. Chan’s death.
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