2010-08-24 14:16

Bodies of two of the eight hostage victims arrive with a relative covering her face at the Philippine national police crime laboratory for autopsy after a gunman took a tour bus hostage on Monday in Manila August 24, 2010. [Agencies]

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters Tuesday that the government will spare no effort in assisting hostage families.

A team of government officers have arrived at Manila early morning Tuesday, said Tsang, adding that they have been in contact with the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Being deep in sorrow, Tsang extended condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the incident again Tuesday, saying his government would help hostage families to overcome current difficulties and to relieve pains.

The hijacked tour group consisted of seven families. Two chartered flights were arranged to take 14 family members from six families to the Philippine capital Monday night.

They were accompanied by a team of government officers including Police and Immigration officers, Social Welfare Department staff, clinical psychologists and medics. The team was led by Under Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok.

After contacting Lai Tung-kwok, Tsang said government officers, which was divided into six groups to help those families, had visited the injured survivors in different hospitals in Manila.

Tsang said names of the victims are expected to be released Tuesday afternoon. Hopefully some of the Hong Kongers involved in this tragic incident can return home by taking a chartered flight Tuesday night, he said.

There are several hundred thousand Filipino now living or working in Hong Kong, Tsang believed that they will feel the same way as Hong Kongers do. He said they should help each other and overcome the crisis.

All government offices in Hong Kong lowered flags at half-mast Tuesday, while principal officials canceled unnecessary activities to mourn the dead.

Chief Secretary for Administration, Henry Tang, has decided to cancel his duty visit to Italy and Switzerland planned for August 25 to 29.  He will stay in Hong Kong to deal with the aftermath of the incident.  

"A Symphony of Lights", the famous light and sound show along the Victoria Harbor, will also be suspended on Tuesday evening.

A 21-member Hong Kong tour group aboard a bus was hijacked by a dismissed Filipino policeman Monday morning in Manila. So far, the crisis ended with nine dead.

Hong Kong has issued the Black Outbound Travel Alert for the Philippines, the highest level of Hong Kong's three-sign Outbound Travel Alert system.

The government ordered all Hong Kong tour groups in the country to return home as soon as possible. Flight seats have been reserved for Hong Kong people who are still in the country. Groups due to depart Hong Kong for the Philippines should cancel their journey.