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A Government spokesman today (May 15) said that as at 5pm today, the Immigration Department had received 106 requests for assistance and 363 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, 70 Hong Kong residents have already re-established contact with their family members.
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/Thursday, May 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:30
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