The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Hermes Tang, today (January 22) expresses grave grievance by the death of three on-duty Customs officers happened last night (January 21) and extends the deepest condolences to their families.
A Customs vessel was conducting a patrol at the waters near Sha Chau around 9pm last night and five officers onboard fell to the sea.
They were rescued by the officers from the Fire Services Department and Marine Police. Two of them were sent to North Lantau Hospital in conscious state and the rest were rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital but were later certified dead.
Cause of the incident is under investigation. The department has been in touch with families of the three deceased officers and would make every effort to help their families. The department also expresses sympathy to other two injured officers and wishes them a speedy recovery.
The three deceased officers comprise one Senior Customs Officer, one Acting Senior Customs Officer and one Customs officer. The two injured officers comprise one Customs Officer and one Probational Customs Officer.
Ends/Wednesday, January 22, 2020