Hong Kong to trial drone delivery of first aid gear in mountain rescues
Hong Kong's Civil Aid Service will test drones to deliver急救器材 in mountain rescues under a low-altitude economy sandbox. Officials announced the plan at a mountain safety event, highlighting inter-departmental cooperation and technology use.
The Civil Aid Service (CAS) of Hong Kong will trial the use of drones to transport mountain equipment and first aid supplies, including automated external defibrillators, under the city's low-altitude economy regulatory sandbox scheme. The announcement was made on 25 October at a mountain safety promotion day and community emergency experience event held in Tsuen Wan.
CAS Commissioner Pang Ying-sang said at the opening ceremony that the initiative responds to Hong Kong's first five-year plan, encouraging young people to participate in outdoor activities while using technology and innovative thinking to improve hiking safety and community emergency awareness.
CAS Chief Staff Officer Leung Kwun-hong elaborated on the drone trials, stating that the service has already been using drones in daily operations and search-and-rescue missions. The new pilot programme will explore drone patrols, wildfire detection, and the delivery of mountain gear or急救器材 such as defibrillators, aiming to help rescuers make better use of the golden window for medical intervention.
Leung also highlighted inter-departmental cooperation, noting that in August 2026, CAS, the police, the fire services and the Government Flying Service conducted a joint search-and-rescue operation at Lei Yue Mun. The mission successfully located a woman who had been missing for over a week and transported her to hospital, demonstrating the professionalism of all departments involved.
The event was co-organised by CAS, multiple government departments and mountain activity groups at Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan.
