Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters Tuesday that the government will spare no effort in assisting hostage families.

A team of government officers have arrived at Manila earlier morning Tuesday, said Tsang, adding that they have been in contact with the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Being deep in sorrow, Tsang extended condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the incident again, saying his government would help hostage families to overcome current difficulties and to relieve pains.

The hijacked tour group consisted of seven families. Two chartered flights were arranged to take 14 family members from six families to the Philippine capital Monday night.

They were accompanied by a team of government officers including Police and Immigration officers, Social Welfare Department staff, clinical psychologists and medics. The team was led by Under Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok. ( After contacting Lai Tung-kwok, Tsang said government officers, who were divided into six groups to help those families, had visited the injured survivors in different hospitals in Manila.

Tsang said names of the victims are expected to be released Tuesday afternoon. Hopefully some of the Hong Kongers involved in this tragic incident can return home by taking a chartered flight Tuesday night, he said.

There are several hundred thousand Filipino now living or working in Hong Kong, Tsang believed that they will feel the same way as Hong Kongers do. He said they should help each other and overcome the crisis.