Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (November 10) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     In response to the open letter sent to members of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) yesterday (November 8) by the President of the HKUST, Professor Shyy Wei, Police have the following responses:

     Police expressed profound sadness over the death of a 22-year-old man who fell down in a carpark in Tseung Kwan O on November 4 and subsequently passed away after treatment in a hospital. Police offered the deepest condolences to his family and friends.

     The case is under investigation by Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon East. In response to the open letter demanding a thorough and independent investigation into the case, Police wish to point out that, according to the Coroners Ordinance, the coroner has the right to request Police to submit a death investigation report and to order an inquest into the death of a person. Police pledge that Police will investigate into the case in depth. Police also recommend a death inquest and will submit a report to the coroner. If an inquest is to be held, all investigation data will be disclosed in open court.

     Regarding the demand for clarifications on the cause of the delay from Police and relevant departments, Police held a press briefing jointly with the Fire Services Department (FSD) yesterday. In response to the accusations that Police obstructed ambulances and caused delay in the rescue of the fallen man, Police stress that the rumours are false and groundless. The FSD also gave detailed clarifications that there was no interaction between the ambulance and police officers at the scene during the ambulance call. The ambulance encountered obstruction from buses and private cars en route but not from police vehicles.

     Police attach great importance to the case and appeal to witnesses or drivers parking their vehicles at the aforesaid location to provide information to Police in pursuit of the truth.
     

     Correctional officers at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution stopped persons in custody from fighting today (November 9).

     At 11.51 am today, six male persons in custody aged from 21 to 36 were found fighting inside laundry. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the fight and used OC foam to subdue them after warnings were ignored.

     Six persons in custody sustained injuries on head, chest and hand, etc. After examination and treatment by institution medical officer, two of them were referred to a public hospital for further treatment whilst four of them did not need to be sent out.

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The six persons in custody were sentenced to imprisonment for the offences of theft, trafficking in a dangerous drug and possession of a dangerous drug respectively.

     With regard to the incident in Tuen Mun District last night (November 8), the Police and the Fire Services Department (FSD) jointly issued the following statement:

     The Police and the FSD noticed that a verbal conflict happened between police officers and ambulance personnel when both sides carried out their duties at scenes involving unlawful assemblies, road blockages, arsons and other illegal incidents in Tuen Mun last night.

     The management of both sides conducted enquiries to the frontline staff immediately in order to collect information related to the situation and realised that they were facing tremendous stress upon working under such chaotic conditions. The management recognised the situation and expressed their understanding and concerns of the above situation.

     With immediate communication among the senior management, the supervising officers and frontline staff of both departments, a mutual understanding was reached and the incident has been properly handled. The two departments will continue to strengthen their guidelines and support their frontline staff to avoid recurrence of unpleasant incidents.

     In response to the continuous illegal and violent incidents, the Police and the FSD officers will continue the arduous tasks with mutual understanding, support and co-operation in the hope of restoring social stability as soon as possible. 

     The 2019 Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony (the ceremony) was held today (November 9) at Government House.

     A Government's spokesman expressed deep regret over the disruptive acts of the Legislative Council Member, Mr Hui Chi-fung who yelled in the middle of the ceremony, interrupting the other guests and proceedings of the ceremony. He also made unreasonable and malicious accusations of the Police.

     The spokesman said that the annual presentation ceremony was a very solemn event to recognise the contributions of individuals from various sectors to the Hong Kong community. It is not an occasion for protests.

     The spokesman emphasised that the Police were given honours and awards in recognition of their significant contributions to Hong Kong and for their dedicated service to the community.

     In the past few months, the Police have been sparing no efforts in stopping violence and curbing disorders with a view to maintaining social order. The Government expressed deep regret over Mr Hui's deliberate distortion of the objective of this ceremony and unfounded accusations of the Police.