Immigration and medical staff arrive in Egypt to help traffic accident victims
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    Four Immigration Officers and two medical staff have arrived at Cairo at 9.30pm tonight (February 1) to help the Hong Kong residents involved in a traffic accident in Hurghada, Egypt.

     A total of 14 Hong Kong people were reported to have deceased and 30 others were injured in the traffic accident that occurred on January 31.

     Two of the Immigration Officers and one medical staff are on their way to visit six injured Hong Kong residents who are being treated in two hospitals in Cairo. It is learnt that their conditions are serious.

     The other two Immigration Officers and one medical staff will proceed to Hurghada to provide necessary assistance to those hospitalised in a local hospital. Twelve others have been discharged from hospital.

     A Government spokesman said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government would continue to offer all practicable assistance to the concerned Hong Kong residents and their families.

     "We will continue to keep in close touch with our embassy, the Travel Industry Council and the travel agent concerned to follow up the case," he said.

     So far, the Immigration Department's hotline has received five requests for assistance in relation to the accident. Hong Kong people who need help may contact the department's 24-hour hotline (852) 1868.

Ends/Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 23:41

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