Hong Kong police investigate case of girl, 10, made to carry bags of beer

Hong Kong police are investigating the case of a 10-year-old girl who was made to carry bags of beer after videos were posted online showing her being berated by a man amid a confrontation with bystanders concerned about her wellbeing.

Police said they received a report at about 10.30pm on Tuesday of a girl in school uniform being made to carry two bags containing numerous beer cans to a building at Fu Tai Estate in Tuen Mun.

Officers attended the scene, but no arrests were made and investigations were ongoing, a police spokesman said.

The girl’s school, Lutheran Tsang Shing Siu Leun School, said social workers and teachers had intervened after learning about the incident and offered help and counselling to the pupil and her family.

“We love every child and will never tolerate any behaviour that harms children’s rights or their physical and mental health,” the school said in a statement on social media.

At least two videos circulating on Threads show the girl, wearing different outfits in different clips, carrying a bag filled with beer cans in each hand. Her backpack also appears badly torn in both clips.

One shows her in school uniform walking up a staircase with the bags. Another shows her alongside a man and other children, with bystanders questioning why she is carrying both bags and asking whether another child can help.

The man becomes angry during the exchange, snatches one of the bags from the girl and calls her “useless”.

It was not immediately clear when the videos were filmed or whether the man was the girl’s biological father or stepfather, as suggested by some social media posts.

Police identified the girl’s father by his surname, Wong, and her mother as Chan, but declined to disclose the child’s surname. The force said the case had yet to be formally classified.

The school said it was actively looking into the incident and would continue to monitor the situation and provide appropriate support to the family.

It also urged the public to stop sharing the related footage and information to protect the child’s privacy and psychological well-being.

People should refrain from harassing, pursuing or following the pupil and her family to avoid causing further harm or fear, it said, appealing for space to handle the matter.