Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa has sent his condolences to the families of the thousands of victims of the earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia and the related tsunamis. He said every effort would be made to assist Hong Kong residents injured and stranded because of the disaster.

Mr Tung said he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss and injury of tens of thousands of lives in several Asian countries as a result of the earthquake and tidal waves.

"On behalf of the community of Hong Kong, we express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families.

"The Government has immediately contacted our country's embassies/consulates in the affected areas to gather information about Hong Kong citizens hit by the disaster. We will make every effort to assist our citizens injured and stranded there."

The Immigration Department sent two officers to Phuket, Thailand this morning to help affected Hong Kong citizens.