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National Day fireworks light up Victoria Harbour, but drone show cancelled again

  • By: MAO Anqi、LIU YutongEdited by: Wai Yan MIU
  • 2024-10-03

The annual National Day fireworks lit up Victoria Harbour last night, but a drone show scheduled to kick off the celebration was cancelled at the last minute because of signal interference, according to a government press release.

 

“Ionospheric scintillation,” a phenomenon mainly caused by a solar storm, disrupted the show, the statement said. Another celebratory drone show was axed on Monday for the same reason.

 

More than 330,000 people gathered on Victoria Harbour to watch the fireworks, according to the government, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

 

“I am disappointed that the drone show was cancelled,” said Yu Huiying, 24, who arrived at West Kowloon at 3pm for the 9pm show. “I've never seen a drone show in person.”

 

“But I understand the show was cancelled due to natural causes, and I am excited to see the beautiful and stunning fireworks,” Yu added.

 

“What beautiful and special fireworks, especially the scene where the smiley face pattern turned into a love heart,” Gu Belly, 23, another spectator who came to watch the National Day fireworks for the first time.

National Day fireworks burst over Victoria Harbour on Oct.1. Nine barges set off 31,888 fireworks. The display cost around HK$18 million and was divided into eight scenes.
Mainland tourists flock to the MTR from the Lo Wu port at around 2 pm on Oct. 1. According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, more than 550,000 people came to Hong Kong on Oct. 1, with the largest number of about 114,275 entering Hong Kong through the Lo Wu Port.
Photography enthusiasts set up their cameras at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade six hours before the fireworks display began, waiting to capture the fireworks display.
People grab a spot at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade at 4pm on Oct.1, before the fireworks display.
Carry Wong, 42, arrives and sets up a tent at West Kowloon with her friend at 3pm. “I am excited about the first time the fireworks are combined with a drone show,” she said. “It is nice to have a snack and chat while waiting for the fireworks to start.”
Saraswoti comes to West Kowloon to watch the fireworks with her family. “We watch the fireworks show every year,” she said. “I look forward to the fireworks more than the drone show because they're more impressive.”
Hong Kong police patrol the West Kowloon Art Park five hours before the fireworks display.
Auxiliary medical service, ambulance and police car wait near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in case of emergency.
People wait on the Avenue of Stars at 5pm to get a good position to watch the fireworks.
The fireworks are set off from barges anchored in the harbour
Helen Lau, 39, a HongKonger, who arrived with her family at 4pm brought a picnic blanket and some drinks. “I have never come to see fireworks before,” she said, “I won't be disappointed if the drone performance is dropped, because the fireworks will be fantastic enough.”
People on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront raise their phones to take photos. The National Day fireworks started at 9:05 pm. in Victoria Harbour,  five minutes delayed due to weather reasons, and lasted around 23 minutes.
The sixth act features green to welcome the arrival of two giant pandas from the Central Government as a symbol of green bamboo leaves.
Clouds of smoke fill the sky after the National Day fireworks in Victoria Harbour on Oct.1.
The fireworks ended around 9:30 pm. Spectators quickly leave the harbour and flock to the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station.
After the crowd disperses, a large amount of garbage is left on the street.

 

《The Young Reporter》

The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

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The Young Reporter (TYR) started as a newspaper in 1969. Today, it is published across multiple media platforms and updated constantly to bring the latest news and analyses to its readers.

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