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A Government spokesman today (May 13) said that as at 5pm today, the Immigration Department had received 50 requests for assistance and 194 enquiries in the wake of the serious earthquake in Sichuan. Most of the requests involved cases in which family members in Hong Kong failed to get in touch with their relatives on the Mainland.
Of the requests for assistance, 16 Hong Kong residents have already re-established contact with their family members.
So far, the Immigration Department said one Hong Kong resident was injured and her condition was stable. Staff of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Chengdu) have been sent to visit the injured Hong Kong resident in a local hospital. The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office) has also sent staff to Chengdu to assist Hong Kong residents in need.
The Immigration Department will maintain close liaison with Mainland authorities through the Beijing Office to obtain more information on the situation and give all possible assistance to Hong Kong residents in need. Those who require assistance may call the Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868.
Ends/Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:57
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