The Government continues to coordinate follow-up work on the case of a recent tourist bus accident, in order to provide all necessary practical assistance to those affected by the incident. A total of 11 mainland tourists were still being treated in Kiang Wu Hospital as of today, including one person admitted yesterday (11 August) with headache and hypertension. Of the 11 tourists still receiving treatment, two female patients are still in the intensive care unit: one remains in a coma after head surgery; the condition of the other patient is improving. The remaining nine patients that are still in hospital are each in a stable condition. Among the 44 mainland tourists involved in the accident, a total of 24 have left Macao. A total of nine tourists remain in Macao, either to accompany family members injured in the accident, or for discussions with their respective travel agent regarding insurance matters. Seven relatives – of accident victims still in the hospital – have come to Macao to accompany their respective family members. They are staying in a hotel arranged by a travel agent. The Health Bureau is in close contact with Kiang Wu Hospital regarding the respective condition of each of the accident victims still hospitalised. The Tourism Crisis Management Office would deal with any enquiry – regarding insurance matters – from tourists involved in the accident. The bus accident occurred on Monday (8 August) when the vehicle carrying 44 mainland tourists crashed into a building in Rua da Entena, near Kiang Wu Hospital. As well as causing injury to passengers of the bus, the crash seriously damaged one of the building’s supporting pillars. The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau concluded that – following the accident – five apartments and one shop in the affected building were temporarily not safe to enter. The Government has taken measures to reinforce structure of the building and has been monitoring the safety of the structure. Measurements taken showed that the building structure is in general a stable condition. The Bureau would draft – within 10 days – a repair plan for the affected building. The Government will hold tomorrow (13 August) a meeting with the occupants of the building to help them gain a better understanding of the current status of the building structure. A total of six people that used to live in the damaged building are currently staying at the Centre for Victims of Disaster, following emergency arrangements by the Social Welfare Bureau. These people are currently not authorised to return to their homes due to safety reasons. The Bureau had also arranged for 18 people from a total of four families to be placed in hotel accommodation as a temporary measure. These people will be transferred on Sunday (14 August) to temporary accommodation managed by the Bureau.
