Flags flown at half-mast as Hong Kong mourns victims of deadliest bus crash in 15 years
Chief Executive Carrie Lam to skip annual Lunar New Year night parade out of respect for deceased
The flags of Hong Kong and the mainland were flown at half-mast at the government headquarters on Tuesday as officials and legislators observed a minute’s silence to mourn the 19 people killed in the city’s deadliest crash in nearly 15 years.
The local government staff and lawmakers, alongside mainland officials and members of the Chinese army based in the city, paid a moment’s silence at 10am when the flags were lowered.
“But in line with what I have said – that the principal officials will be as low-key as possible in attending some of these events – I have told the Tourism Board that I will not attend and speak at the parade, which originally was planned.”
I feel we achieve a balance by continuing to host this parade
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah will represent the government at the event instead, she added.
The chief executive said she was confident the city could – and had sufficient resources to – help those affected in the aftermath of the crash.
In memory of the victims, lawmaker Kenneth Leung, chairman of the bills committee for the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No 4) Bill, suspended a committee meeting halfway through at 10am and led lawmakers and staff in observing a minute of silence.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Commission announced that “A Symphony of Lights” – a 10-minute light show staged at Victoria Harbour at 8pm every night – would be suspended on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, five passengers remained in critical condition while another five were in serious condition at various local hospitals, officials said. Twenty-two others were still hospitalised in stable condition.
Prosecutors were granted eight weeks to investigate and said they intended to interview 37 more passengers and other eyewitnesses, apart from the 28 they had already spoken to.
They are also waiting for analysis of a black box recorder that logs technical details during a journey, an examination of the wreckage as well as the 19 autopsy reports to come back.
Hong Kong bus passengers furious with driver moments after deadly crash, witness claims
Chan declared his occupation as a cook and appeared tired as he emerged from court under security.
His lawyer Timothy Wan applied for bail but was rejected by Principal Magistrate Ernest Lin Kam-hung after prosecutors objected.
The case is due to return to the same court on April 10.
A Tourism Board spokeswoman said “some overseas visitors” who were visiting especially for the fireworks had expressed disappointment.
Additional reporting by Rachel Leung
