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All injured members of a Hong Kong tour group who are hospitalized after a traffic accident in Hurghada, Egypt have been transferred to Paris and Zurich for further treatment. Six of them have been transferred to Paris and three are in Zurich.
The first group of nine tour members and six accompanying family members arrived at Hong Kong this afternoon (February 4) under the escort of an Immigration Officer.
The remaining 12 members have been treated and discharged.
Fourteen tour members died in the traffic accident that occurred on January 31.
"With two more Immigration Officers deployed to Cairo, there are now five Immigration Officers and two medical staff working in Cairo to offer necessary assistance to the affected Hong Kong residents and their family members," a Government spokesman said.
"We have kept in touch with our embassies in Paris and Zurich to seek their assistance for Hong Kong residents hospitalized there. We are also working 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.
The Immigration Department's hotline has received 16 requests for assistance in relation to the accident so far. 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 15 requests or enquiries in relation to the accident.
Ends/Saturday, February 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 21:03
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