Hong Kong has dispatched a 51-member rescue team to Myanmar in response to the powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on March 28. The team, led by Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Services Department (FSD) Cheu Yu-kok, departed on a chartered flight on the afternoon of March 29 to assist in search and rescue operations.
The rescue team comprises 40 members of the FSD, which includes firemen, ambulancemen, and fire services workshops personnel, as well as officers from the Security Bureau, the Immigration Department, and the Hospital Authority. They are expected to coordinate their efforts with Myanmar authorities and China's national rescue team upon arrival.
Before departure, a flag presentation ceremony was held at Hong Kong International Airport, where Chief Executive John Lee presented the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) flag to the team leader.
Lee expressed his deep condolences to the victims of the earthquake and emphasized the urgency of rescue efforts, given the widespread devastation. He noted that China's national rescue teams had already been mobilized and deployed to Myanmar. Upon receiving a request from the Consulate General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, the SAR government responded swiftly by assembling a rescue team.
Praising the dedication and professionalism of the rescuers, Lee commended their rapid preparations and courageous commitment to the mission. "You are the pride of Hong Kong, the SAR government, and the people," he said.
Lee also assured full government support for the team and urged members to remain vigilant against aftershocks and structural collapses, stressing the importance of safety while working under high-risk conditions. "Saving lives is the top priority, but protecting yourselves is just as crucial," he said.
Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the Hong Kong SAR government, stated that the rescue team would first land in Yangon before traveling approximately 10 hours by land to reach the disaster zone near the epicenter.
He highlighted that lessons learned from Hong Kong's 2023 earthquake relief mission in Türkiye had been incorporated into their preparations. The Security Bureau has regularly conducted emergency drills, and FSD personnel had just completed a similar rescue exercise three days before deployment. The team has also upgraded its equipment, including the addition of eight satellite phones to ensure stable communication in the affected areas.
Given Myanmar's extreme heat, Tang acknowledged the potential medical challenges the team might face. He also confirmed that a second-tier rescue team is on standby to provide reinforcement or personnel rotation if needed.
As of March 29, the Hong Kong SAR government had received 54 inquiries regarding Hong Kong residents in Myanmar but had not yet received any formal requests for assistance, according to Tang.
Reporter | Liu Xiaodi, Chen Chen
Video editor | Deng Yingheng, Xu Xiaoxin
Video script | Chen Chen, Yuan Zixiang, Liu Xiaodi
Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He
