2.
Group II
Informant : LUC HIEN MINH
The trip was organized by a Vietnamese male teacher, "The", and 1.5 tael of gold was charged for escort service from each person. These 4 persons left DA NANG by bus on 26-3-90 at 0500 hrs. Three days later, they arrived at HAI PHONG and boarded a wooden transportation vessel at 2300 hrs. They then left Vietnam with another 101 persons whom were recruited by the courier. After having 3 days' sailing, they stopped at QI SHA (
) due to the break down of the engine. They stayed there for 7 days until completion of the repair. On 8-4-90, they departed from QI SHA and reached YING PAN (
X3 13 ) after 2 days. The engine was out of order again and they took 2 weeks to have it repaired. They then continued their journey on 24-4-90 and arrived at XU WEN) 2 days later. As the vessel was no longer sea-worthy these 105 persons had to stay behind to look for chance of furthering their journey. These 4 persons happened to meet Group I on 11-5-90 and the boatmaster of Group I agreed to admit them on board for joint voyage. On 12-5-90, they departed from XU WEN and travelled all the way to Hong Kong.
Additional Information
•
They had no knowledge of the following :-
(a) the screening policy and madatory repatriation;
(b)
any other people in N.VN planned to leave;
(c)
(d)
(e)
the news that they would be placed on a deserted island after their arrival in Hong Kong;
whether the Sino-Vietnamese border was closed;
the 'Push-out' policy implemented by the Malaysian Government.
2. Group I had two stopovers in China but no PRC official was ever met.
3.
4.
5.
Total no. of unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 : NIL.
One Ex-serviceman was reported.
None of them had committed criminal offence in Vietnam.
6. They chose to come to Hong Kong because of safety.
7.
Group II's original escape boat loading with 105 person had been abandoned at XU WEN (1) and the rest of the members dispersed thereafter. It was heard that some of them returned to Vietnam while some of them awaited passing-by Vietnamese boat for their onward exodus.