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Attempts to negotiate with inmates at Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre who ran riot on the island yesterday (June 4) evening broke down and action was taken by the police, including the use of gas grenades, to secure the situation.

Negotiations with the inmates began shortly after 11 pm, but as the dialogue continued the inmates became emotional and the talks broke down after midnight.

Additional platoons of CSD and police officers were called in to guard the boundary of the centre after some emotional inmates began attacking the sick bay of the centre and setting fire to the dormitory where 13 Vietnamese inmates were staying.

During the incident all 13 Vietnamese inmates suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation. They were later evacuated and sent out for treatment.

The situation was brought under control at 1.40 am and order was restored. All inmates were accounted for and assembled voluntarily at the football field and were arranged to return to their respective dormitories.

The Fire Services Department had put out fires there were set earlier at various spots.

Updated casualties include five CSD officers, eight police officers, 13 Vietnamese inmates and seven local inmates.

During the incident, a total of 34 grenades were launched by police and seven by CSD officers.

A Board of Inquiry, headed by an Assistant Commissioner, has been appointed by the Commissioner of Correctional Services to look into the circumstances surrounding this incident. It would take about six weeks to complete the inquiry and submit the report to the Commissioner.

The police will also conduct a criminal investigation into the incident.

End/Monday, June 5, 2000

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