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The Government will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of this morning's bus incident in which 21 persons died and 20 were seriously injured, the Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, said today (July 10).
The Police Regional Commander / NT South has already set up a task force to investigate the incident, and the Transport Department and the Highways Department will provide all necessary assistance in the investigation, Dr Liao told a press conference.
The vehicle parapet on the elevated portion of Tuen Mun Road near Ting Kau Bridge where the incident occurred complied with Highways Department standards, which in turn are in line with international standards, she said. But the investigation would evaluate the safety of both the road surface and the parapet to determine if improvements were needed to prevent such mishaps from happening again.
Dr Liao also extended the Government's condolences to family members of the deceased and wished the the injured a full and speedy recovery.
"We are deeply saddened by the incident and I want to extend my deepest condolences to family members of those who died. We will do our best to render assistance to the victims and their families.
"After the incident, all Government departments and hospitals are on alert and are ready to do whatever is necessary to treat the injured and look after their needs and those of their families," she added.
The Home Affairs Department has set up four inter-departmental help desks at hospitals to provide assistance and answer public enquiries. Medical social workers from the Social Welfare Department have also contacted families of the deceased and injured to provide counselling and welfare assistance.
The Transport Department activated the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre at 7.05am this morning to coordinate traffic and public transport arrangements. The department also sent engineers to the site of the tragedy to assist in the investigation.
With Dr Liao at the today's press conference were the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Robert Footman; the Director of Social Welfare, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Director of Highways, Mr Mak Chai-kwong; the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan; the Police Regional Commander, NTS, Mrs Bonnie Smith; and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, NT/South, Mr Lee Mui-lam.
End/Thursday, July 10, 2003
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