Chief Secretary Henry Tang and other senior officials offered their condolences to the Manila hostage victims and their families when they returned to Hong Kong tonight. He urged the Philippine government to provide a detailed account of the causes of death and injury.

Aboard the chartered flight were the eight bodies of the tourists slain in the hijacking, four of the seven injured hostages, their family members, Government officials and a support team. Another injured victim Yik Siu-ling will return later tonight on a medical flight.

Mr Tang and the families placed wreaths on the coffins before they were sent to Kwai Chung Public Mortuary. Some of the injured were sent to local hospitals, where Chief Executive Donald Tsang later visited them.

Also attending the mourning ceremony at Chek Lap Kok Airport was Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Li Gang, Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Lu Xinhua, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee, Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Rita Lau and Legislative Council President Jasper Tsang.

Solemn ceremony: Senior officials offer their condolences to the Manila hostage victims at the airport, while Chief Secretary Henry Tang places flowers on each coffin and comforts the injured victims.

Mr Tang expressed his sorrow and concern for the affected families and promised the Government will provide whatever assistance they require.

"We have been overwhelmed by grief in the past three days. Tonight we receive with heavy hearts the victims of this tragedy and their families back from the Philippines. I have met the families on the plane and conveyed to them the deepest concern of the Central Government and Hong Kong Government. Hong Kong people will always stand by them," he said, adding he hopes Jason Leung, who is under observation in hospital after an operation on a wound to the head, and his mother will return as soon as possible.

He thanked state leaders, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government bureaus and departments, as well as the professionals who have taken care of the victims and arranged their return. He also thanked Philippine authorities and medical staff, the Hong Kong media and the international community for their concern and condolences.

The Chief Executive, accompanied by Under Secretary for Food & Health Professor Gabriel Leung, visited injured victim Joe Chan in Prince of Wales Hospital. Mr Tsang said full assistance will be given to Yik Siu-ling when she returns.

A neurosurgery expert from Tuen Mun Hospital has arrived in Manila to evaluate Jason Leung's condition. Prof Leung said the Government will consider sending a medical flight to Manila to bring him back soon.

Mr Tang said the Government will continue to urge Philippine authorities to conduct a comprehensive, thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.

"The truth is the best consolation to the victims and their families. The Hong Kong Government stands ready to offer our full assistance and support to the Philippine authorities during the course of investigation," he said.

"The Hong Kong Government will convey to the Philippine authorities issues we think should be addressed in the investigation. The president of the Philippines has promised the Chief Executive and Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao to conduct a fair and full investigation of the incident and provide the report to Hong Kong as soon as possible.

"We believe it is imperative the investigation report at least [give] a detailed account of the whole incident and a detailed account of the causes of death and injury."

He said the Filipino community in Hong Kong shares the grief and sorrow, while various Philippine organisations have expressed their deepest condolences to the victims' families.

The Social Welfare Department will continue to offer support to the victims and families.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang and all senior Government officials will attend a mourning ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai at 8am tomorrow when a three-minute silence will be observed. The public can join the ceremony.

During the three minutes' silence, Government services, except for emergency services and border control, will be suspended.

The State Council has advised the SAR Government the National Flags displayed at all Hong Kong Government offices and Central People's Government offices in the city will be flown at half-mast tomorrow.