More Immigration officers and medical staff have been sent to Taiwan to help those injured in a traffic accident in Jioufen return to Hong Kong.

A Senior Immigration Officer, an Immigration Officer, a doctor and two nurses left for Taipei today to join four colleagues in arranging the return of the victims and their relatives.

As at 7pm, 15 people, including a tour escort, 12 tour group members and two relatives of the victims, had returned to Hong Kong. Among them, nine injured were sent to hospital for medical treatment.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the Government has been in close liaison with Kwan Kin Tours to make expeditious arrangements for those with minor injures to return to Hong Kong as well as to convey the bodies of the deceased back. He said the Government will do everything possible to facilitate their return.

Five tourists were killed and more than 30 others injured when their tour bus plunged down a slope at a popular scenic spot yesterday.

Up to now, more than 20 people are still receiving treatment in hospitals, and one of them is in critical condition.