Fifty tonnes of relief materials will be sent by the Government to Indonesia on Friday, after a request for aid from the country.

Deputy Secretary for Security Michael Wong said the shipment includes tents and blankets.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's death toll in the South Asian tsunami remains at nine with no further fatality reports received. As at noon today, two Hong Kong residents are known to be in hospital in Thailand, and four have been discharged.

Mr Wong said the six students from four schools who could not be contacted yesterday have all been confirmed to be safe. Of the nine employees reported missing, six have been confirmed safe and police are now looking for the remaining three, including one German and two Indonesians.

59 missing

Fifty-nine Hong Kong residents cannot be reached. Of them, 34 are in Thailand, one in Malaysia, 10 in Indonesia and 14 in other places. There are no Hong Kong residents known to be in Sri Lanka or the Maldives.

Meanwhile, 148 people were reportedly stranded in the affected areas. The number fell from 204 yesterday because many have either been contacted or have returned to Hong Kong. The Government is now following up on the remaining reports.

Mr Wong said Police have taken 22 DNA samples, including oral swabs and hair from relatives of missing people for identification. Families concerned can go to Central Police Station in Arsenal Street if they are willing and ready to provide samples. They can also call 2829 3010 for enquiries.

More officers return

At present, families of 20 affected citizens have agreed to disclose their relatives' information onto the Immigration Department's tsunami help information website.

Mr Wong said as the situation in Thailand continues to stabilise and the need for the support team's service is reducing, another batch of 20 officers will return tonight.

But 90 remain in Thailand and their service will be maintained. Mr Wong said manpower of the support team will be constantly reviewed to cope with the need for the service.

Counselling hotline in operation

The emergency hotline 2835 1473 set up by the Home Affairs Department for local families seeking tsunami-related counselling and follow-up services has received 120 calls since December 29.

The hotline will operate between 8.45am and 1am Monday to Friday, and between 9am and 1am Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.