HKSAR gov't renders assistance to families of firemen who died on duty

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced Wednesday that the government would provide financial assistance for families of two firemen who died when fighting a fire in downtown areas last month.



Under the Financial Assistance Scheme for Family Members of Those Who Sacrifice Their Lives to Save Others, 3.15 million HK dollars will be granted to family members of deceased brave fire officer Siu Wing-fong while 3.78 million HK dollars will be granted tofamily members of deceased fireman Chan Siu-lung.



Siu, 46, and Chan, 25, died on Aug. 10 when they were searching for and rescuing people trapped in a fire at Cornwall Court in Mong Kok, which also killed two other citizens.



Secretary for Labor and Welfare, Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who chairs the committee approving the grants, praised the two late fire officers for their gallant act, saying the late firemen displayed utmost bravery and selfless devotion to the Hong Kong community.



"Despite the great risk to their own lives and grave danger, Siu and Chan spared no effort in rescuing the residents," Cheung said. "Their high level of professionalism and self-sacrifice commands our greatest respect."



"We deeply mourn the loss of such outstanding and devoted public servants. The grants represent the HKSAR government's recognition of their act of exceptional courage and gallantry of the highest order. We sincerely hope that the financial assistance can provide some relief to their family members," he said.



The scheme was set up in January 2002, to provide financial assistance to family members of those who lose their lives attempting to save or protect others.



Under the scheme, the amount of financial assistance for each approved application is worked out according to a formula having regard to the age and normal retirement age of the deceased and the prevailing median monthly employment earnings, with the minimum level currently set at 3.15 million HK dollars and the maximum at 6.3 million HK dollars .



Source:Xinhua