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A Government spokesman today (May 20) said that as at 5pm today, the Immigration Department had received 126 requests for assistance and 448 enquiries in the wake of the devastating 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 101 Hong Kong residents who had reportedly lost contact with their families, 96 of them had already re-established contact. The Immigration Department and the Office of the HKSARG in Beijing will maintain close liaison with Mainland authorities to follow up on the remaining five cases as well as obtain more information on the situation and render all practical 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 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:39
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