**********************************************

    A Government spokesman said today (March 11) that Thailand authorities had recently confirmed the death of three unlocated Hong Kong residents in the tsunamis through the victim identification process.  

    This brought the total number of Hong Kong residents reported to have died to 18.

    Meanwhile, 22 unlocated Hong Kong residents have still not been located. All were reported to be in Thailand.  

   The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will continue to follow outstanding cases and provide practical assistance to Hong Kong residents and their families where necessary.

    The Hong Kong Police have contacted relatives of missing Hong Kong residents to collect DNA samples for analysis on a voluntary basis.  Analysed DNA information as well as fingerprint records were sent to the Thai authorities through the appropriate channel for identification purpose.

    Hong Kong residents may call the Immigration Department's hotline at 2829 3010 for assistance.

Ends/Friday, March 11, 2005

NNNN