Blackout Hits North Point East Coast Boardwalk Western Section on Monday Evening

A power outage plunged a section of the East Coast Boardwalk in North Point into darkness on Monday evening, March 9, 2026, forcing visitors to rely on their mobile phone flashlights to navigate the pathway.

The blackout affected the western section of the 2.2-kilometre boardwalk, specifically the stretch near Admiralty Centre, from the movable bascule bridge to the Oil Street exit. It began around dusk, leaving the area without lighting for approximately three hours.

The Development Bureau's Harbour Office received a security report at around 7 p.m. regarding the power supply issue impacting the lighting system. Additional staff were immediately dispatched to assist visitors in safely exiting the affected area. Emergency repair work was carried out on site, with engineers observed opening ground panels and conducting checks. Power to the lighting was temporarily restored by about 10 p.m., and the office stated it would continue to closely monitor the situation and make appropriate arrangements. The cause of the failure remains under investigation.

HK Electric, the local power utility, responded to inquiries by confirming that its overall power supply remained normal throughout the incident. At the request of authorities, the company dispatched engineers to the scene to provide necessary support.

The East Coast Boardwalk, a popular harbourfront shared space for walking, jogging, cycling, and leisure, stretches from Quarry Bay to Fortress Hill. The western section, connecting the East Coast Park Precinct to the North Point Promenade, opened in January 2025. The eastern section, linking North Point Promenade to Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay, was completed and opened in December 2025, finalizing a continuous waterfront promenade along this part of Hong Kong Island.

No injuries were reported, though some visitors, including joggers and families, were seen making their way through the darkened area with phone lights or under temporary red emergency lighting set up on site. The incident highlighted the reliance on artificial lighting for evening use of the relatively new public facility.