HONG KONG: A man identified as a survivor of a bus crash in Egypt that killed 14 said in a radio interview aired Wednesday that fellow Hong Kongers on tourist buses didn t stop, leaving victims waiting another three hours until help arrived.
A lot of tour buses passed us. I saw at least two or three Hong Kong tour groups which didn t stop and help. I kneeled and shouted help. No one acknowledged me, the man identified only as Mr. Leung, said in an interview with Hong Kong s Commercial Radio, which was replayed on television.
If people got off their buses and helped out, more people would have been saved, you know? When I left the vehicle I saw a lot of people pinned down by the bus yelling help. But when cranes arrived three hours later, they were motionless, an audibly shaken Leung said.
Why are Hong Kong people so cold-blooded? he said. The deadly accident occurred Tuesday in southern Egypt. The bus was on the outskirts of the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, heading toward the ancient historic city of Luxor to the southwest, when it rolled over while speeding around a bend in the highway, Egypt s official Middle East News Agency said.
Egyptian officials said the accident killed 14 people and injured another 30. All 14 dead and 29 of the 30 injured were from Hong Kong.
The mishap came as Hong Kongers took advantage of the Chinese New Year holiday to vacation abroad. The news has shocked this wealthy, developed Chinese territory not accustomed to disaster, dominating the headlines.
Authorities couldn t immediately confirm Leung s account. An Egyptian consul in Hong Kong said he had no relevant information, but said that if any local Egyptians had seen the accident they would have stopped to help.
In Egypt, if any car accidents happen, people stop and see what happened, what s wrong. This one, I don t believe anyone would pass by and just let the people go. No way, consul Walid Ismail told Associated Press by phone.
Road accidents are common in Egypt due to bad roads and poor enforcement of traffic laws. Police estimate road accidents kill about 6,000 people each year.
Hong Kong s Security Bureau had no immediate comment on Leung s account. A woman who answered the phone at the offices of the tour operator in Hong Kong said the company will give an update on the accident at a press conference later Wednesday. AP
