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

2026-06-11 18:26 Last Updated At：18:38

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.

Click to Gallery

Police conduct inter-departmental major incident exercise on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

More Images

Police conduct inter-departmental major incident exercise on Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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.

Three Passengers Sentenced for Importing Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes, Highlighting Customs Enforcement Efforts

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing / importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 69-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on May 28 and seized 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $700, and the duty potential was about $600. She was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 56-year-old male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 10). Customs officers seized about 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $113,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.

Furthermore, Customs officers on the same day intercepted an incoming 49-year-old female passenger at the airport, seizing 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $112,000, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

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).

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

HK