Top leaders express condolence over HK ship collision

 • Chinese top leaders expressed condolence over Monday's deadly ship collision in Hong Kong.

 • They urged the HK government to spare no efforts to rescue the missing people.

 • Central gov't had asked Guangdong Province to send four salvage vessels to help with rescue work.

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday expressed condolence over Monday's deadly ship collision in Hong Kong and urged the HK government to spare no efforts to rescue the missing people and comfort the victims' families.

Hu, Wen and Xi had all made calls to learn about the relief work.

They urged the maritime rescue center and other involved departments to fully cooperate with the Hong Kong government in rescue and provide all the help needed.

The central government had asked neighboring Guangdong Province to send four salvage vessels to help Hong Kong police with rescue work after the accident occurred.

Other leaders, including State Councilor Liu Yandong, had also convoyed sympathy to the injured and the families of the victims of the collision.

A ferry and a pleasure craft collided off Lamma Island to the southwest of Hong Kong Island at about 8:23 p.m. on Monday evening.

A condolence ceremony will be held on Oct. 4 across Hong Kong and Hong Kong regional flags at government buildings will be at half-mast for three days starting Thursday.

Related:

Death toll of Hong Kong ship collision rises to 38

HONG KONG, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-eight people including five children were killed after two vessels collided on Monday evening off the Lamma Island on the southwest of the Hong Kong Island, and six crew from both vessels have been detained, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Tuesday evening.

According to the government, the six individuals detained were under investigation for "endangering people's lives at sea". Full story

Chinese govn't sends condolence over HK ship collision

BEIJING, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese central government on Tuesday sent a letter expressing condolence and sympathy to the families of victims of a fatal ship collision off Hong Kong on Monday.

The central government is extremely concerned about the accident and will spare no efforts in providing help if needed, read the letter sent by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, to the office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying. Full story

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