Hong Kong's Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said December 29 that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will send a 120-strong relief team to Thailand Wednesday and Thursday to assist the safe return of Hong Kong tourists.

Ambrose Lee said at a press conference Wednesday that the relief team includes Immigration Department staff, police and medical staff.

He said the HKSAR government will establish commanding headquarters in Thai resort of Phuket to coordinate the Hong Kong tourists-related relief affairs.

By 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Hong Kong still lost contacts with a total of 388 Hong Kong residents in the quake-triggered tidal waves hit countries, lee said, adding that 325 of them are tourists to Thailand.

Another 664 Hong Kong residents have been stranded in the tidal waves hit countries.

He said that three health care workers of Hong Kong have left for Thailand Wednesday afternoon and another 19 Immigration Department staff will leave Wednesday night.

The HKSAR government will establish fixed aid centers in Phuketand Bangkok, to offer help to Hong Kong residents there, he said.

Source: Xinhua