A photographer's dramatic image of a man sitting calmly on a bench while Super Typhoon Ragasa battered Hong Kong has gone viral, but the photographer hopes the image will serve as a warning about the dangers of such risky behavior during extreme weather events. The photograph, taken by Post photographer Elson Li, shows a solitary figure facing the turbulent sea as massive waves crashed along the coastline.
Li arrived at the Tseung Kwan O promenade at 6:30 AM on Wednesday morning, expecting to find the area completely deserted as Super Typhoon Ragasa reached its closest point to Hong Kong. The city was under the highest-level No. 10 hurricane warning signal at the time, with authorities urging all residents to stay indoors and avoid any outdoor activities. Raging waves were crashing violently into the coast, creating extremely dangerous conditions for anyone brave or foolish enough to venture outside.
Despite the treacherous weather conditions, Li was surprised to discover a man sitting alone on a bench facing the turbulent sea. The striking scene was made even more dramatic by the Tseung Kwan O Cross Bay Bridge visible in the background, creating a powerful visual contrast between human presence and nature's fury. The photographer quickly captured the moment, not knowing that his image would soon capture widespread attention on social media platforms.
While some internet users have dubbed the mysterious man the "king of the storm" for his apparent fearlessness in the face of the typhoon's wrath, Li has a different perspective on the viral photograph. The photographer emphasizes that he hopes his dramatic images will actually convey the serious risks associated with such dangerous behavior during extreme weather events, rather than glorifying reckless actions that could put lives at risk.
