Photo: Flickr
The 21-year-old woman who managed to get past multiple security checks at Hong Kong International Airport earlier this week is affected by a mental illness, her family said.
According to Apple Daily, the woman's parents stated that their daughter was mentally ill and wanted to see Korean TV stars in Seoul, to where she had attempted to travel.
In an interview with Apple Daily, the parents said that the 21-year-old was delusional and wanted to start a company in Seoul named KBS, after the Korean Broadcasting System which produces her favourite shows.
The young woman reportedly told her mother over the phone that she was going to the airport at around 5pm on Tuesday. Her mother said she was "concerned, but could not stop [her daughter]".
Police sources told Apple Daily that CCTV cameras filmed the 21-year-old entering the restricted departure area at around 11:45pm, while an airport security guard checked the boarding pass and passport of another passenger.
The footage shows her successfully going through the metal detectors and using her smart HKID at the immigration eChannel (all of which she reportedly did in two minutes!), before going to gate 520.
A security guard reportedly saw the woman walking back and forth at the boarding gate and asked her if she was lost. When the 21-year-old couldn't produce a valid boarding pass, the security guard immediately notified airport police, who escorted her away.
Police reportedly noted that the woman appeared to have a mental illness, and decided not to prosecute her.
Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO), which manages the security for Hong Kong airport, said the case is being investigated by police and declined to comment further.
http://hongkong.coconuts.co/2016/04/21/woman-who-nearly-boarded-flight-without-ticket-has-mental-illness-parents
