Society

37,900 sign condolence books to HK victims

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-27 16:56

HONG KONG -- About 37,900 people have signed condolence books at 18 condolence points throughout Hong Kong in the past three days to mourn the victims of the hostage incident in the Philippines, said a spokesman for the Home Affairs Department on Friday.

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The points of condolence in the 18 districts for the public to express their condolences and regards to the victims and their families had been open from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 9 p.m. Thursday.

The spokesman noted that the public may continue to post messages of condolence on the Facebook webpage set up by the government and obtain information on what is doing to help the bereaved families.

An ex-policeman turned gunman hijacked a tour bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists Monday morning in Manila, the Philippines. The incident ended with eight tourists dead and seven injured. The hostage taker was killed in police assault.

Survivors of the tragic event and the remains of the eight tourists were back to Hong Kong. The injured will continue their treatments in local hospitals.