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Legal help promise for boat tragedy lawsuits

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The travel industry vowed last night to help relatives of those killed in Friday's tourist boat sinking in Manila Bay to take legal action.

The relatives of each victim are likely to receive about $100,000 compensation from the travel agency's insurance cover.

Travel Industry Council acting chairman Simon Hau Shuk-kei said after meeting 36 relatives and members of the ill-fated tour yesterday, that the compensation was 'moderate'.

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He said those at the meeting had not wanted to talk about compensation until they had received legal advice.

But he said the council would provide them with legal assistance or advice should they want to launch lawsuits against the boat operators or the Philippine authorities.

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At the meeting, the families were mainly concerned with the handling of bodies and procedures which would allow funerals to be held as soon as possible, Mr Hau said.

Requests were also made for counselling, especially for children who were aboard the boat.

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