On January 31, a Hong Kong tour group encountered a traffic accident in the southeast of Egypt and incurred heavy casualties. When President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao of State Council and Vice President Zeng Qinghong were informed of this accident, they made the important instruction immediately. They asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related agencies to cooperate with the Egyptian side, help the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) with their rescue efforts, adopt all measures to rescue the injured and properly handle the aftermath of the accident. They also asked the government of Hong Kong SAR to convey the sincere condolence of the central government to the relatives of those died and injured.

According to the instruction by the leaders of the central government, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the Consulate General in Alexander launched the emergency mechanism immediately. They took the rescue actions together with the Egyptian side and some agencies of the government of Hong Kong SAR. They offered emergent assistant to Hong Kong compatriots in the traffic accident. The injured compatriots and relatives of the dead were moved deeply and expressed their sincere appreciation for the care and help from the motherland.

Today, heads of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council conveyed the care of the central government to Chief Executive Donald Tsang of Hong Kong SAR.