China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed Thursday that another Hong Kong tourist was found dead in Thai resort of Phuket, leading the death toll of HK tourists in the tsunami-hit countries to two.
HKSAR Deputy Secretary for Security Michael Wong said at a press conference that the victim is a male but did not give other details.
He said by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, 277 Hong Kong residents were reported to have lost contact with their families in Hong Kong and 199 of them are tourists to Thailand.
Wong said that the 145-strong HKSAR relief team has arrived in Thailand and has launched relief activities.
He said HKSAR government has established fix assistance centers in the coordination centers opened by the Thai authorities.
Wong said the HKSAR government will establish a special website to offer the hotlines of related HKSAR departments and Chinese embassies and consulate generals in the tidal waves hit countries.
(Xinhua News Agency December 31, 2004)