Hong Kong Resident Detained for Illegal Work in Southeast Asian Country Rescued

Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Southeast Asian country rescued

The Security Bureau (SB) today (March 28) said that after the SB dedicated task force received a request for assistance from a Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Myanmar earlier, the SB immediately liaised with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok (Bangkok ETO), as well as the relevant Thai authorities, and launched a joint rescue operation promptly. The SB's Government Security Officer, Mr Joe Chan, also immediately led the dedicated task force comprising members from the SB, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Immigration Department to arrive in Thailand yesterday (March 27) to follow up on the incident.

The Hong Kong resident was rescued and transferred to Thailand yesterday. The dedicated task force arranged him to meet with his family in Thailand once he was in good mental and physical condition. The Hong Kong resident said he felt like experiencing a horror movie in the past few days and thanked the task force members for visiting Thailand to save him from detention. Pleased with the family reunion, the family members said they had learnt a precious lesson and commended the speedy and effective rescue mission. The dedicated task force members will make arrangements for his return to Hong Kong as soon as possible, and will continue to follow up to investigate his case after his return.

While in Thailand, the dedicated task force met with the Commander of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, Central Investigation Bureau of Royal Thai Police, Police Major General Vitthaya Sripasertpap, to discuss the support arrangement for the Hong Kong resident after his rescue. The dedicated task force also met with personnel from the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand to thank for their continued efforts on the case, as well as their appropriate and practicable assistance for the individual and his family. In addition, the dedicated task force had a meeting with officials of the Bangkok ETO to learn about the latest local situation.

The SB expressed gratitude to various parties including the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chinese Embassy in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Chinese Embassy in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Bangkok ETO, as well as the relevant Thai authorities, for their support and assistance, resulting in a prompt and smooth operation.

Since 2024 to date, the law enforcement agencies have received a total of 32 request-for-assistance cases in relation to Hong Kong residents alleged to have been detained in Southeast Asian countries and not being able to leave. Apart from the above-mentioned case, 28 of them have already returned to Hong Kong and two needed no further assistance and follow-up. The dedicated task force will continue to actively follow up on the remaining request-for-assistance case and provide appropriate advice and practicable assistance to the assistance seeker and the family.

The Security Bureau (SB) today (March 28) said a Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Myanmar sought assistance from the SB dedicated task force earlier. Following the liaison with various parties and with their support and assistance, a joint rescue operation was launched and the Hong Kong resident was smoothly rescued and arrived in Thailand. Photo shows the dedicated task force meeting with Commander of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, Central Investigation Bureau of Royal Thai Police, Police Major General Vitthaya Sripasertpap (fourth right), to discuss the support for the Hong Kong resident after rescue. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Security Bureau (SB) today (March 28) said a Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Myanmar sought assistance from the SB dedicated task force earlier. Following the liaison with various parties and with their support and assistance, a joint rescue operation was launched and the Hong Kong resident was smoothly rescued and arrived in Thailand. Photo shows the dedicated task force meeting with officials of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Bangkok to learn about the latest local situation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Security Bureau (SB) today (March 28) said a Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Myanmar sought assistance from the SB dedicated task force earlier. Following the liaison with various parties and with their support and assistance, a joint rescue operation was launched and the Hong Kong resident was smoothly rescued and arrived in Thailand. Photo shows the rescued Hong Kong resident (second left) with his family in Thailand. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Security Bureau (SB) today (March 28) said a Hong Kong resident detained for illegal work in Myanmar sought assistance from the SB dedicated task force earlier. Following the liaison with various parties and with their support and assistance, a joint rescue operation was launched and the Hong Kong resident was smoothly rescued and arrived in Thailand. Photo shows the rescued Hong Kong resident (fifth left) with his family in Thailand. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CFS finds trace amount of Enterococci in samples of individual batches of bottled mineral water

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 28) that two samples of bottled mineral water were found to contain trace amount of Enterococci. The CFS is following up on the incident.

A spokesman for the CFS said, "Under its routine Food Surveillance Programme, the CFS collected bottled mineral water samples at retail level for microbiological testing, including tests for Escherichia coli, Coliform bacteria, Enterococci, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The test results showed that two samples of the individual batches of bottled mineral water below contained Enterococci at a level of one Colony Forming Unit in 250 millilitres, while all other tested parameters (Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, Spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were satisfactory (i.e. not detected).

According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, Enterococci shall not be tested presence in bottled natural mineral water. As a precautionary measure, the CFS has informed the retailers/distributors concerned to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products below. The distributors concerned have also initiated voluntary recalls of the affected batches of the products concerned. Members of the public may call the respective hotlines below during office hours for enquiries about the recalls.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: Still Scottish Mountain Water

Brand: Marks & Spencer

Volume: 750ml

Best-before date: December 2026

Distributor: ALF Retail Hong Kong Limited

Hotline: 3656 2253

Product name: LOTTE ICIS Natural Mineral Water 8.0

Brand: Lotte

Volume: 2 litres

Best-before date: September 22, 2027

Distributor: Goldtop Century Ltd

Hotline: 2632 7373

Since January 2026, the CFS has collected 50 samples of bottled drinking water for testing. Apart from the two unsatisfactory samples mentioned above, all other samples passed the tests.

"Enterococci are a group of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, generally posing a low risk to healthy individuals. However, certain strains may cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Members of the public should stop consuming the affected batches of the natural mineral water. Anyone who feels unwell after consuming the products, such as experiencing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or fever etc, should seek medical treatment," a spokesman for the CFS said.

The CFS had alert the trade, and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Source: AI-found images