XN000022-1994-07-24 — Page 2

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SUNDAY, JULY 24, 1994

DEPUTY TO GOVERNOR CONDOLES FAMILIES OF LANDSLIDE VICTIMS

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THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING EXPRESSED HER DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO UNFORTUNATELY DIED IN THE SMITHFIELD LANDSLIDE WHICH OCCURRED LATE YESTERDAY, AND TO THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY HOSPITALISED BECAUSE OF THIS TRAGIC EVENT.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HER VISIT TO THE LANDSLIDE SITE AND ΤΟ THE NEARBY TEMPORARY SHELTERS FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS, MRS CHAN SAID: "EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO TRY AND RESCUE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE LANDSLIDE BUT THAT OPERATION WAS STOPPED THIS MORNING.

EARLY

STILL

"I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, THE CHANCES OF FINDING ANYBODY ALIVE, BURIED UNDER THE MUD, IS PROBABLY VERY VERY SLIM. AND IT'S NOT, AT THE MOMENT, SAFE TO CONTINUE THE DIGGING."

SHE SAID THE EXPERT HAD HAD A LOOK AT THE BLOCKS CONCERNED AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE APPLYING FOR A CLOSURE ORDER TOMORROW MORNING FOR BLOCKS C AND D BECAUSE THESE TWO BUILDINGS WERE AT RISK.

"FOR RESIDENTS OF BLOCKS A AND B WHICH ARE CONSIDERED SAFE, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED BACK INTO THEIR FLATS LATER TODAY AND THE POLICE WILL ARRANGE FOR THIS, MRS CHAN SAID.

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"AS SOON AS WE'VE APPLIED FOR THE CLOSURE ORDER TOMORROW AND ASSUMING THAT IT WILL BE A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE WE CAN DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO RE-OPEN THESE TWO BLOCKS, THE RESIDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED BACK INTO THEIR FLATS TO COLLECT THEIR BELONGINGS UNDER POLICE ESCORT."

SHE URGED PEOPLE CONCERNED, BOTH THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS AND OTHERS, TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH THE POLICE ON THESE ARRANGEMENTS.

ON REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS, MRS CHAN SAID ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE HOUSING SOCIETY AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WERE WORKING TOGETHER TO TRY AND PROVIDE TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION.

"I

AM INFORMED BY THE HOUSING SOCIETY THAT FOR THOSE RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF BLOCKS C AND D, THE HOUSING SOCIETY WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION IN VACANT BLOCKS THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IN HAND, SHE SAID.

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SOCIETY

"THEY ARE ALSO IN DISCUSSION WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SEE WHETHER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY CAN TAKE THOSE WHOM THE HOUSING CANNOT TAKE.

THEN

DO THEIR

"AND IF AT THE END OF THE DAY, THERE'S NOT SUFFICIENT, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL OBVIOUSLY VERY BEST TO TRY AND FIND TEMPORARY SHELTERS."

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