The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, expressed profound sorrow and outrage over the passing of an outsourced cleaning service contractor worker who was suspected to have been hit in the head by a hard object hurled by rioters in the North District earlier.
 
     The senior worker was an outsourced worker of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). He was suspected to have been hit in the head by a hard object hurled by rioters during his lunch break near the North District Town Hall on November 13 (Wednesday), and subsequently passed away at the Prince of Wales Hospital yesterday (November 14) night.
 
     Professor Chan said, "I am deeply saddened by the incident, and extend my deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased worker. The FEHD has requested the service contractor to follow up the labour insurance and compensation matters promptly. I have also instructed the department to continue to maintain close contact with the deceased's family and provide all appropriate support and assistance to them as far as practicable. With the consent of the family of the deceased, the FEHD has referred the case to the Social Welfare Department for follow-up.
 
     "I express outrage over the hurling of hard objects by rioters that led to the death of the senior worker. The Police have now re-classified the case as murder. I believe that the Police will investigate the case thoroughly to bring the offenders to justice.
 
     "I appeal again to members of the public to stay calm and rational but not to take part in any violent or illegal acts."

Ends/Friday, November 15, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:45

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