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Unfortunately, the sailing junk of Group II had encountered engine trouble on the way and the 18 boatmates thus transhipped to their junk. The combined group of 39 eventually entered Hong Kong waters several hours later.
Group II
Informant : TSAN BAC SANG
This group was originally composed of 26 persons when they fled HO CHI MINH CITY, S.VN on 31-3-90. Three days later, they came to HA HOI by train and made a 2-day stopover. On 5-4-90, they reached HONG GAI and managed to purchase a motorized sailing junk at a cost of US $1 200. They set sail in the same evening and touched ZHU SHAN (4) of China in the following morning. Thereafter, they sailed along the coast making several stopovers at unknown places. On 11-4-90 their junk sank when they were about to arrive at HONG WAN(紅 ). Eight of them lost in the open sea and the remaining 18 were rescued by the passing by fishing junks. The survivers were then sent to (21
業公司
) and reported to PRC officials. They were put in some huts and were provided with foodstuffs by the said officials. Later on, the boatmaster had received US $1,000 from his relative in USA and was able to purchase another sailing junk. They left HONG WAN on 16-4-90 and touched MACAO on the same day. Shortly after they their departure on 21-4-90, the whole party transhipped to Group I's junk due to engine problem.. They finally arrived in Hong Kong on 21-4-90.
Additional Information
1. Three of them had knowledge of screening policy by means of BBC radio broadcast.
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3.
Three of them had knowledge of the mandatory repatriation through hearsay.
They had not heard of the news that they would be placed on a deserted island after their arrival in Hong Kong.
4.
One Ex-serviceman was reported.
5.
Criminal offence in VN : NIL.
6.
Total no. of unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 : 3 (3B).
7.
Five stopovers in China for Group I.
8.
Group II was inspected by PRC officials at HONG WAN (1) as their junk sank there. Eight of them lost in the open sea and the remaining 18 were put in some huts and provided with some foodstuffs by the said officials.
/They