{
  "id": 9327585,
  "title": "Police find no evidence of tampering in sports drinks",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/police-find-no-evidence-of-tampering-in-sports-drinks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T11:20:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK English",
    "slug": "rthk-english",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1871259-20260923.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Police reported on Wednesday that they found no evidence of tampering with the sports drinks given to students near a school athletic event. Sixteen teenagers fell ill on Tuesday after consuming the complimentary drinks provided by a company outside Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground as part of a promotional effort. Senior Superintendent of East Kowloon, Hung Ngai, stated that the students experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness, but all were subsequently released from the hospital. During the investigation, investigators found no proof of anyone intentionally piercing the plastic bottles. They also tested the contents and discovered no unusual substances, nor did any unexplained liquids seep into the drinks. Hung explained that the bottles feature a tear-off label design, with two dotted lines made of tiny holes to facilitate consumer removal for recycling purposes. He added that the bottled beverages were chilled in an iced bath prior to distribution. When squeezed, water that had collected between the bottle and the label could be expelled through the tiny holes, producing the illusion that the packaging had been tampered with. Hung suggested that numerous factors could have caused the students to feel unwell, including the rigorous physical activity during the athletics meet. He indicated that they would continue to examine the students' past health records, their dietary habits on that day, and the hygiene of the plastic containers used for the ice bath.",
  "summary": "Police said on Wednesday they found no evidence that anyone had deliberately tampered with the sports drinks distributed to students near a school athletics meet. Sixteen teenagers felt unwell on Tuesday, after consuming the free drinks handed out by a company outside Hammer Hill Road Sports Ground as part of a promotional campaign. Senior Superintendent of East Kowloon Hung Ngai said the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK News",
        "title": "Police find no evidence of tampering in sports drinks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/police-find-no-evidence-of-tampering-in-sports-drinks-9328723",
        "published": "2026-09-23T11:20:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}