A 23-year-old PhD student jumped to his death at a university campus in Sai Kung in Hong Kong’s New Territories on Friday.
At 11am, the student surnamed Liu, who was attending the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), was found lying on an atrium on the university campus, Oriental Daily reported.
It was understood that shortly before the tragedy, the dormitory where Liu lived experienced a fire alarm. Security guards who acted on the alert found books and notes burning in the dormitory kitchen.
Soon afterwards, Liu was found with serious injuries and rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Investigating officers found no suicide note at the scene.
At the time of the incident, the university was holding a gathering on campus, which had drawn many graduates and guests, Ming Pao Daily reported.
Liu was said to have attained a first class honors degree in mechanical engineering last year and to be taking PhD courses at the university.
It was understood that he had mentioned to his family that he was under great pressure from his studies.
The Samaritans run a 24-hour multilingual suicide prevention hotline +852 2896 0000 or emails can be sent to jo@samaritans.org.hk.