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Regarding the Hong Kong tour group involved in an accident in Beijing yesterday (October 6), the Immigration Department said that it sought details from the travel agent immediately after learning about the accident and contacted the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office) to follow up the situation. The families of the victims were also contacted to understand their needs.
The Principal Immigration Officer of the Beijing Office, Mr Fung Pak-ho, said in Beijing that the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office had immediately contacted the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council in the afternoon and met the forensic officers at the Forensic Medical Examination Center of the Beijing Public Security Bureau to provide assistance in identifying the victims' bodies and making follow-up arrangements. Mr Fung also visited other members of the tour group and learned that they were fine. The Beijing Office will continue to monitor their needs through the travel agent and provide assistance.
The Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department and the Immigration Division of the Beijing Office will keep in touch with the families of the victims, the travel agent and the members of the tour group to provide practical assistance.
Any Hong Kong residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong may contact the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department through its 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868.
Ends/Friday, October 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:22
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