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Following is the transcript of remarks on the aftermath of the hostage incident in Manila by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session after officiating at the inauguration ceremony of Lo Wu Correctional Institution this morning (August 24):
Reporter: (inaudible)
Chief Executive: First of all, our priority is to look after the injured and the families of the dead who are now in Manila and those who are in Hong Kong. We are helping them. There are altogether six families involved. The six families have dead ones and injured ones in Manila. Our team in Manila is separated into six groups, each dedicated to look after each family to meet their needs. We have arranged to make sure they are able to visit their families, those in hospital to comfort them, to meet their needs, and as soon as possible to help them come back to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, we are in contact with the Philippine government, making sure that the maximum co-operation will be extended to our team and the families who are in Manila. We're also arranging a chartered flight this evening to enable these families if they are available to come back, and other tour groups who are now in the Philippines to return on that flight. Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, we are mobilising our resources involving the Social Welfare Department, Hospital Authority and Home Affairs Department, to make sure that the families' needs will be met on arrival. At the same time, we are making separate arrangements in Hong Kong to enable Hong Kong people to express their sorrow through the Internet and at various sites of the Home Affairs Department. We will announce the details of these arrangements later. We have now been able to verify the identities of the people who are actually injured and who unfortunately died on this occasion. We are informing and approaching the families directly, breaking the poor news to them, and we will as soon as possible make a public announcement of the full list.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:57
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