Hong Kong inquest into hot air balloon tragedy may stall following news that Egyptian probe is not complete
Egyptian consul general informed relatives of those who died that a final report was not yet ready
The inquest into the hot air balloon tragedy that killed nine Hongkongers in Egypt in 2013 may stall, following a surprise revelation on Tuesday that investigations in the country were continuing.
The news came after bereaved family members met with Egyptian consul general Alaaeldin Kashef, who suggested local authorities would issue a final report.
READ MORE: I was not told about risks of hot air balloons, Hong Kong tour guide tells inquest on tragedy in Egypt
The coroner in the Hong Kong inquest, June Cheung Tin-ngan, has been working on the assumption that a final report has been completed. She will come up with the cause of death of the nine Hong Kong victims.
Michael Ozorio SC, for Kuoni travel agency, said yesterday that it was unfortunate they were not informed earlier.
“This inquest has been going on for two weeks and it has been in the press,” said Ozorio. “One would expect the Egyptian authorities to inform us. I have to say it is extremely surprising that this has arisen at such a late stage.”
Cheung said she would write to the consulate to find out the nature of the investigation and ask the Department of Justice to do the same.
“My other concern is of course also the time,” she said. “It’s not desirable to [delay] this inquest indefinitely.”
The case was initially set for closing submissions next Wednesday, but the hearing will be postponed to await the consulate’s reply.
READ MORE: Egypt hot-air balloon crash was ‘hell’, says Scottish survivor
Also testifying on Wednesday, Scarlett So Lai-kuen, who was at the time regional manager with Paradise Travel, testified that her Egyptian agency selected hot air balloon companies on the basis that Kuoni had sought a licensed and insured service provider.
But she could not recall if her agency ever sent any information on the chosen company, Sky Cruise, to Kuoni. She also testified that she never had any access to Sky Cruise’s licence or insurance policy before the accident in February 2013, even though she was in charge of liaising between Paradise Travel and Kuoni.
So was grilled throughout her evidence for not responding to a police request for assistance until last month, when she submitted a statement. She said Paradise Travel did not authorise her to do so.
At one point, the coroner warned her to treat the matter seriously. “Can you not laugh in the box during an inquest where nine people died?” the coroner asked. “Even after nine people died you didn’t think it was urgent enough to tell your boss [you need the authorisation].
“Can I warn you to treat this matter seriously because I treat this seriously and everyone in court treats this seriously.”
