Government helps Hong Kong tour group in Yunnan traffic accident
********************************************************

     A tour group with some 20 Hong Kong travellers was involved in a road accident in Yunnan Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture today (December 31). It was initially noted that several Hong Kong residents had been injured in the accident. They were sent to local hospitals for treatment.

     A Government spokesman said that upon learning the accident, the Immigration Department immediately liaised with the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (BJO), the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, and the travel agent concerned to follow up the case. The BJO has already sent two Immigration Officers there to provide assistance to the Hong Kong travellers.

     Any Hong Kong residents who need assistance while outside Hong Kong can contact the Immigration Department's "Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit" by calling its 24-hour hotline at (852)1868.

Ends/Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:40

NNNN