The Secretary for Security, Mr Wong Sio Chak, this dawn visited the Conde S. Januario Hospital to meet the family of the woman who died in the explosion at the Pak Lei Building on Tuesday night (4 July), and to visit those injured. The suspected cause of the incident was a cylinder containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
While at the hospital, Mr Wong expressed condolences to the bereaved, and his care and concern for the injured persons, on behalf of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government. He later visited the site of the incident, to learn more about the situation.
Mr Wong was accompanied on his visit to the hospital by the Director of the Health Bureau, Mr Lei Chin Ion. Noting the heartbreak and sadness of the deceased’s family, Mr Wong expressed his deep regret and condolences to them, and promised that the Government would provide them with appropriate assistance for their needs. He then visited each of the other victims, who were receiving treatment in the intensive care unit and other wards, to gain an understanding of their situation and their respective treatment.
At the Pak Lei Building, Mr Wong was given an on-the-spot briefing by the emergency services. He thanked the rescue team for its efforts, and gave instructions for a full investigation and for all effort to ensure a speedy clear-up and resumption of normal life in the neighbourhood.
Those accompanying Mr Wong during his visit to the hospital and to the explosion site included the Commissioner-General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr Ma Io Kun; the Commander of the Public Security Police, Mr Leong Man Cheong; and the Commissioner of the Fire Services Bureau, Mr Leong Iok Sam.
According to information provided by the Conde S. Januario Hospital, seven people –four women and three men –were injured in the incident, including a 34-year-old female Macao resident who was certified dead on arrival at the hospital with injuries to internal organs and multiple bone fractures.