The confirmed deaths of a Taiwanese woman and two Hong Kong
citizens bring the total number of Chinese dead in the Asian
tsunami disaster to 12, according to the Chinese Embassy in
Thailand.
They include three from the mainland, three from Taiwan, and six
from Hong Kong.
Two other Hong Kong residents -- a French infant and 42-year-old
Markus Knoesel, a German biology teacher at Hong Kong's German
Swiss International School -- were confirmed dead Monday.
Embassy officials from Thailand also said Monday that 15
mainlanders visiting Thailand remained missing. The number of Hong
Kong travelers officially classified as missing has increased by
14, bringing the total number of Chinese unaccounted for in the
affected countries to 74 amid fears that there may be more.
Hong Kong's Deputy Secretary for Security Michael Wong said
Monday that the number of people reported missing had risen but it
was not clear by how many, as information was incomplete and
immigration departments and police officers were still gathering
more details about those reported missing by their families.
Wong said police had started collecting DNA samples from
relatives so the Thai government can establish a DNA database. The
DNA samples will be sent to Thailand to help in the identification
process.
While the nation prepares to send more professionals and aid
materials for rescue and relief, people from all walks of life
across the country have continued to open their wallets and their
hearts to the victims.
Minister of Defense Cao
Gangchuan told his counterparts from the affected countries via
phone that his ministry will offer donations for relief and
rebuilding.
(China Daily January 4, 2005)