Lamma ferry victims' families not happy with marine head's apology

People who lost loved ones in the October 1 Lamma Island ferry tragedy criticised as "belated, insincere and involuntary" the Marine Department chief's first public apology yesterday.

One victim's relative, who requested anonymity, rejected Francis Liu Hon-por's apology, which he said was the result of political pressure.

"He had the opportunity to do this on April 30, but he didn't do so," the man said. "His apology today is not sincere, and the motive is not pure."

Liu should have apologised to the victims' families instead of to the media and Legislative Council, he said.

Liu had repeatedly refused to apologise, even after the official inquiry commission's report concluded late last month that "failings" in his department were to blame.

The man said, apart from Liu, all officials from the department appeared in the hearing, and that the former head of the department and the manufacturer of the wrecked vessel all bore responsibility.