Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences yesterday over a deadly fire in an apartment building in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and called for all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses, the China Media Group (CMG) reported.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, immediately requested an update on rescue efforts and casualties yesterday and expressed to John Lee his deep condolences for the victims and the death of the firefighter on duty, as well as his sympathies to the families of the deceased and those affected by the fire.
Xi called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Hong Kong Liaison Office to support the HKSAR government in making all-out efforts to put out the fire, search and rescue the trapped, treat the injured and provide relief to affected residents. He also called on relevant authorities and local governments to offer necessary support, with the aim of minimizing casualties and losses.
The HKSAR government immediately activated the emergency mechanism. The Hong Kong Liaison Office has formed a special task force, maintaining close communication with the HKSAR government and fully supporting the ongoing rescue efforts.
At least 44 people lost their lives, including a 37-year-old firefighter, in a fire that broke out in the Tai Po neighborhood yesterday.
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