Police Conduct Major Rescue Exercise 'BRIGHTTORCH' on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to Enhance Emergency Response

Police conduct inter-departmental major incident exercise on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road, to enhance the response and co-ordination capabilities of the personnel in executing large-scale inter-departmental rescue operations.

Over 100 representatives from 13 government departments and relevant organisations participated in the exercise, including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the Government Flying Service, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Department of Health, the Civil Aviation Department, the Transport Department, the Highways Department, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Shuttle Bus (Hong Kong) Company Limited, the operator of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Port, and the Hong Kong Association for Conflict and Catastrophe Medicine.

The exercise simulated a serious traffic accident involving several vehicles (including a bus, a minibus and a private car), resulting in a vehicle fire, multiple casualties and an individual accidentally falling into the sea. Personnel from various departments were swiftly deployed to the scene to conduct rescue operations, establish a command post and a casualty triage station, and provide emergency treatment. Officers from the ImmD and the C&ED were also deployed to conduct immigration clearance and customs procedures for the injured persons’ return to Hong Kong. During the exercise, the Police deployed a drone to provide real-time aerial intelligence to the command post, thereby enhancing rescue efficiency.

As a major infrastructure and a key cross-boundary transport corridor, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge plays a vital role in regional connectivity. The Police will continue to maintain close liaison with relevant stakeholders, conduct regular inter-departmental exercises at various infrastructures and major road networks, and review contingency plans to further strengthen co-ordination and collaboration among government departments and related organisations.

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photo shows officers establishing a command post and a casualty triage station at the scene. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photo shows the Government Flying Service rescuing a person who fell into the sea. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photos shows officers of the Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force providing assistance to the injured persons. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photo shows ambulancemen treating injured persons and police officers gathering information at the triage. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photo shows officers rendering emergency care to the injured. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. Photo shows officers of the Fire Services Department fighting a fire. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. The exercise simulated a serious traffic accident involving several vehicles. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The New Territories South Region of the Hong Kong Police Force, together with various government departments and organisations, conducted an inter-departmental major incident exercise codenamed "BRIGHTTORCH" today (June 11) on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Link Road. The exercise simulated a serious traffic accident involving several vehicles. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming local male passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 78-year-old local male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on July 15 and seized 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal belongings. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $6,200 and the duty potential was about $4,500. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases