XN000022-1996-09-26 — Page 4

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Acting CS's statement on incident at sea

The following is a statement issued by the acting Chief Secretary, Mr Michael Suen, today (Thursday):

"We were extremely concerned by the news of the incident at sea today in which two Hong Kong citizens were seriously injured. We have activated all the resources available to the Government to mobilised all the assistance we can to those involved.

"The Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a call for rescue from the 'Kien Hwa II' at 0957 this morning. The captain of the ship reported that five people jumped overboard and two are now in critical condition.

"We understand that one person has been taken by Japanese helicopter to the nearest medical facilities. The other person is too seriously injured to move by air.

"The 'Kien Hwa' is therefore sailing to a port in Okinawa to deliver him for treatment. (It was later confirmed that the vessel was still at sea off Diaoyu Islands). We understand he is receiving medical attention from Japanese medical personnel on board the ship.

"Immediately upon hearing the news, we contacted the Maritime Rescue authorities in Japan, Taiwan and China. We also immediately established contact with the British Embassy and with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo and with the Japanese authorities in Hong Kong.

"The British Embassy and the Hong Kong Office in Tokyo will provide every possible assistance. The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre is in constant direct touch with the 'Kien Hwa II' and with the Japanese Rescue Authorities to obtain the latest information and render any assistance it can.

"We are making urgent contact with the families of the injured. We will do all we can to provide assistance to them at this difficult time. We will be making contact with the other Hong Kong citizens on the ship to establish how they wish to return to Hong Kong.

"I want to assure everybody in Hong Kong that the Government is doing and will continue to do everything possible to provide assistance in this situation.