Thousands gathered outside a funeral home on Thursday to pay tribute to a university student who died following a fall near a protest.
Alex Chow Tsz-lok, a 22-year-old second-year Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) student, succumbed to serious injuries he sustained from a one-storey fall in a Tseung Kwan O carpark in late October.
The incident occurred while police were dispersing protesters nearby, though the cause of his fall remains unclear.
Chow’s death came amid increased scrutiny of the police’s handling of mass pro-democracy demonstrations since June.
The force said last month it will recommend a coroner’s court to investigate the student’s death.
Chow’s funeral service was held at the Po Fook Memorial Hall on Thursday evening. HKUST head Wei Shyy and other university management figures entered the funeral home at around 3pm but declined to respond to reporters’ questions.
From around 4pm, riot police were stationed near the Tai Wai MTR station, where a funeral home minivan stopped to pick up service attendees.
Ms Ngan told Stand News that she came out to pay tribute to Chow with her daughter, who was saddened by his death.
“We are all Christians – it was unfortunate for Chow to pass away, but we know we will see each other again in heaven,” she said.
Ngan added that no answers had been provided for reports of protest-related deaths. “But I believe those who hurt or killed others will face judgment in the future,” she said.
Two students surnamed Kwok and Cheung also told Stand News they had never met Chow but were upset by his death.
Cheung said he hoped Chow’s parents will overcome their grief soon. “The truth will come out eventually,” he added.
At around 10pm, hundreds were still seen queuing on the hillside in Tai Wai to pay their respects to Chow.
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