Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (March 16) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Yellow fire danger warning

     The fire danger situation today (March 16) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hikers should also be vigilant.

     Hong Kong Family Welfare Society has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (March 16), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678. Information on flag days is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew) and the GovHK portal (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tai Po last night (March 15) in which a 49-year-old man died.

     At about 9.23pm yesterday, a light goods vehicle (LGV) driven by a 49-year-old man was travelling along Tolo Highway towards Kowloon. When approaching Kam Shan, it reportedly lost control and rammed into a kerb. Another LGV driven by a 51-year-old man reportedly failed to stop and collided with the LGV in the front.

     The 49-year-old LGV driver fell out from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. He was sent to the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 10.17pm.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories North is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3800.

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 15) expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the terrorist attack in New Zealand and extended sympathies and condolences to the injured and families of the victims.

     "Hong Kong and New Zealand are open and diverse societies, embracing respect and inclusiveness. We are deeply shocked and saddened by the severe casualties caused by the terrorist attack in New Zealand. Our thoughts are with the New Zealand people during this difficult time and we strongly condemn the terrorist attack," Mrs Lam said.