Helping hands: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says a 120-strong team will be sent to Phuket to assist citizens affected by the tsunamis there.

A 120-strong team of officials has been mobilised to go to Phuket to help Hong Kong residents affected by the tsunamis, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

He said a command centre would be set up in the resort centre to coordinate the search for missing Hong Kong residents and to help survivors return home.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Mr Lee said the team, which included Immigration officers, Police officers, medical staff, Civil Aid Service officers and Auxiliary Medical Service staff would be sent to Phuket in two days.

Three medical staff have already gone to Phuket, 28 Immigration officers have gone to Phuket and Bangkok, and four others are in Colombo.

Mr Lee said he was saddened to learn of the death of a 39-year-old Hong Kong man. He said the Government would offer every possible assistance to the man's family.

The secretary said the Government's most important job was to locate missing Hong Kong citizens and to help them return to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

Fixed assistance points to be set up at airports

Apart from forming a command centre in Phuket, the team will also set up a number of fixed assistance points at Phuket and Bangkok airports and at the Thai Government's Co-ordination Centre.

Auxiliary Medical Service staff will offer initial medical treatment to residents with minor injuries. Officials will also be sent to offer assistance to injured citizens and their families at all major hospitals.

Mr Lee said Immigration officers would continue helping residents who had lost their travel documents to return to Hong Kong.

Police officers will make use of their computer system to search for missing citizens. They will also visit hospitals and hotels and maintain close contact with the Thai Police.

Mr Lee said Police officers would also help identify Hong Kong people who may have died in the tragedy.

Describing the incident as an unprecedented disaster, Mr Lee stressed that it would take some time for the Government to get a clear picture of the situation.

He promised that the Government would spare no effort in helping affected citizens.

691 requests for help received

At 8pm on Wednesday, the Immigration Department's hotline, 2829 3010, had received 828 enquiries and 691 requests for assistance.

Among the 691 requests, 599 were about missing relatives and 348 of the people concerned have been reached or have returned to Hong Kong.

Of the 251 people who cannot be reached, 197 were reported to be in Thailand, seven in Malaysia, 12 in Sri Lanka, six in the Maldives, 23 in Indonesia and six in other places.

Meanwhile, 1,052 people were reportedly stranded in the affected areas. Since the information on those people is incomplete, only 265 of them have been reached. The Government is now following up on the remaining cases.

Immigration officers have visited all hospitals in Phuket and have found six injured Hong Kong citizens.

Assistance offered to affected families

Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Shelly Lee said her bureau would offer all necessary assistance to the affected citizens' family members in Hong Kong.

"We have contacted seven affected families to understand their needs."

The bureau has also set up a hotline - 2835 1473 - to help affected residents and their families.

Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Susie Ho said the three medical staff sent to Phuket include a doctor, a nurse and a psychologist. If necessary, more medical staff will be sent, she added.