XN000022-1996-09-26 — Page 5

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"Our first priority must be to do what we can to help the two men who have been injured, In the meantime, I urge the community to react to this development in the same orderly and responsible manner which has been displayed on this issue in recent times.

"Family members can contact the Immigration Department hotline on 2829 3076 if they require information or assistance."

End

Transcript of the acting CS's media session

Following is the transcript (English) of the media session given by the acting Chief Secretary, Mr Michael Suen, at the Central Government Offices today (Thursday):

Acting CS: We were extremely concerned by the news of the incident at sea earlier today in which two Hong Kong citizens were injured. We have activated all the resources to enable the Government to provide assistance to those who need assistance. We received a call from the ship at around 0957 this morning and that came to our Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre. Immediately upon the receipt of this request, we have got in contact with the relevant authorities including the Chinese, the Taiwanese and the Japanese to see whether they can provide assistance because Hong Kong is a bit far away from the sea and our aircraft can't reach there. And within half an hour of our request, we understand that a Japanese helicopter landed on the ship and carrying with them two paramedics. We understand that five men from the ship jumped overboard and they were rescued and two were injured. And the two paramedics who were on board having examined the two injured have decided that one was suitable for airlifting to the nearest hospital and so he was transferred onto a helicopter and airlifted. The other one who we understand to be Mr David Chan, his condition we understand is not suitable for airlifting at the moment and those on board have concluded that it is better to await the arrival of a doctor before they decide what to do with Mr Chan and we understand that a doctor is on the way to be on board to examine Mr Chan and will decide how best to provide assistance to him. Immediately following that we have been in touch with other authorities. In Hong Kong we've got in touch with the Hong Kong Japanese Consulate in order to try to get more understanding of the situation. We've also contacted the British Embassy in Tokyo. And above all we have been in touch with our own representative in Tokyo Mr David Lan. And we understand that the ship is now making its way to an island in Okinawa and we have asked Mr Lan to make arrangements to go to Okinawa to receive the ship upon its arrival to see whatever assistance we can provide to those still on board. I think this has distressed us and I think I would want to take this opportunity to appeal for calm from all. It is not something that we'd like see happen. To those who have relatives still on board we have set up a hotline in the Immigration Department to provide information and the number of the hotline is 28293076.