Help at hand: Assistant Commissioner for Police Bonnie Smith, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Sarah Liao, Commissioner for Transport Robert Footman, Director of Highways Mak Chai-kwong and Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan brief the media on the crash and emergency relief measures for victims and their families.

Emergency relief operations have been launched by a host of Government departments to assist bereaved families of victims in this morning's fatal bus crash on Tuen Mun Road. The injured and their families are also being helped.

Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan said help desks have been set up at the four hospitals the injured have been sent to, and more than 250 enquiries have been made so far.

"We will provide emergency cash relief to families that are affected. The amount is $8,000 and up to now we have approved eight cases. We are liaising with other family members of the injured or the bereaved and they can also apply for emergency relief."

Social Welfare Department officers are counselling traumatised family members of the dead and injured. Officers are also referring those in need of assistance to relevant Government departments.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Transport Robert Footman said he is awaiting a report from KMB on the incident. He said department officers are also checking whether any improvements are needed for the roads and signage in the area. However, he added that the location is not a blackspot for accidents.

Mr Footman said the department's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre is working with operators to ensure sufficient public transport is available for the route, and keeping the public informed of the transport situation there.

Director of Highways Mak Chai-kwong said guardrails on the route met international standards and are capable of withstanding impacts of over 100 kph.