Chinese New Year fireworks cancelled as Hong Kong mourns bus crash victims
Actions are a show of respect for the 19 dead and 66 injured in crash last Saturday, while local charities have raised at least HK$42 million for victims
Officers from the Transport Department inspect the bus wreckage on Monday.Flags are flying at half-mast today in a show of mourning for the victims of Saturday’s deadly bus crash, in which 19 people died and 66 were injured. As of last night, six people were still in hospital in critical condition.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that Saturday’s fireworks show to celebrate the Lunar New Year has been cancelled.
The KMB double-decker was travelling from Sha Tin racecourse to Tai Po when the driver lost control. The bus flipped on its side while making the turn near Tai Po Mei.
The traditional fireworks display was sponsored by Chevalier International Holdings at a cost of HK$8.8 million. Chevalier has promised to donate at least HK$1 million to help the victims and their families.
Since Sunday, at least HK$42 million has been raised by charities, including KMB’s charitable funds, to help victims.
President Xi Jinping has sent his condolences and sympathies to the 84 families affected by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, the bus driver remains in custody. A court in Fanling granted police eight more weeks for investigation. He will remain in jail, and could face more serious charges than he has now. He has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
Edited by Ginny Wong