HK sends rescue team to quake-hit Myanmar

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Saturday sent a 51-strong team to assist in the search and rescue work in the earthquake-stricken areas of Myanmar.

The team comprises officers from the Security Bureau, the Fire Services Department, the Immigration Department and the Hospital Authority, according to the government.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau and other officials attended a flag presentation ceremony in the afternoon before the team's departure.

The death toll from the magnitude 7.9 earthquake reached 1,002. Also, 2,376 people were injured and 30 are still missing as of Saturday, according to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council.

In a social media post earlier in the day, the CE announced that the HKSAR government would deploy a team to Myanmar's earthquake-stricken area to assist in its search and rescue operations.

"The search and rescue team will do their utmost to help save lives on the ground," he wrote in the post.