XN000022-1994-09-09 — Page 2

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1994

GOVERNOR PLEDGES FULL INVESTIGATION INTO WALL COLLAPSE

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THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) DESCRIBED THE COLLAPSE OF A WALL AT NATHAN ROAD AS A HORRIFIC AND TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

HE PLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CARRY OUT A FULL AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.

"I HEARD NEWS OF THIS HORRIFIC ACCIDENT WITH GREAT SADNESS. OUR FIRST THOUGHTS MUST BE FOR THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND I AM SURE THAT I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IN OFFERING MY CONDOLENCES.

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MR PATTEN ADDED: "THERE WILL BE A FULL AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSES OF THE COLLAPSE AND THE RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION WILL, OF COURSE, BE MADE PUBLIC.

"THE PUBLIC HAS AN ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW WE INTEND TO PREVENT THIS SORT OF TRAGEDY FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, HE SAID.

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ACTING CS COMMENTS ON WALL COLLAPSE

THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON EXPRESSED REGRET THAT THE WALL COLLAPSE AT NATHAN ROAD HAD HAPPENED AND HE SENT HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED AND INJURED IN THIS VERY TRAGIC ACCIDENT.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER

INSPECTING THE SCENE OF THE

ACCIDENT, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS GIVING ALL THE HELP TO THE AFFECTED FAMILIES AT THE PRESENT TIME.

"THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO FIND OUT THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT, HE SAID.

"WE HAVE NOW ESTABLISHED A TEAM OF EXPERTS IN THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT ΤΟ LOOK INTO THE CAUSES OF THIS ACCIDENT

IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPER, THE AUTHORISED PERSON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGULATION OF THIS DEMOLITION EXERCISE.

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"WE PLEDGE TO FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS ACCIDENT TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IF THE OUTCOME IS AVAILABLE.

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AND

FOR THE

MR LEUNG THANKED THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED TREMENDOUS WORK THEY HAD DONE IN MOUNTING THE RESCUE OPERATION WHICH WERE QUITE DIFFICULT IN THIS SITUATION.

ASKED WHETHER THE INVESTIGATION RESULTS WOULD BE MADE PUBLIC, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY SAID: "WE WILL MAKE THE FINDINGS KNOWN WHEN WE HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION.

"BUT I DO ASSURE THE PUBLIC AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPARE NO RESOURCES TO FIND OUT THE CAUSES AND TO ENSURE THAT ALL OUR BUILDING ACTIVITIES ARE SAFE AND SECURE AND HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN REST ASSURED THAT WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO MAKE SURE THIS IS DONE."

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