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With the concerted efforts of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and Immigration Officers, contact has been established with a female Hong Kong tour group member who was reported as unlocated earlier today (February 2) after a traffic accident in Egypt. She is now staying at a Hurghada hotel.
It has been confirmed that 14 Hong Kong people from the tour group were dead in the traffic accident that occurred on January 31, a Government spokesman said.
Eighteen persons from the group have been treated and discharged. Five persons in serious but stable conditions are hospitalized in Cairo. Four persons are hospitalized in Hurghada and three have been transferred to Paris for further treatment.
Four Immigration Officers and two medical staff are continuing their work in Cairo and Hurghada to offer necessary assistance to the affected Hong Kong residents and their family members.
"We will work closely with our embassy in Egypt, the Travel Industry Council and the travel agent concerned to facilitate early return of the residents to Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
So far, the Immigration Department's hotline has received seven requests for assistance in relation to the accident. Hong Kong people who need help may contact the department's 24-hour hotline (852) 1868. The Social Welfare Department's 24-hour dedicated hotline (6293 0120) also received seven calls in relation to the accident.
Ends/Thursday, February 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 21:02
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