Apparent murder-suicide claims mother and two sons

A mother, 43, and her two sons, 17 and 13, were found dead yesterday morning in the flat of a residential building in Tsz Lok Estate, Kowloon East.

A senior officer told the press outside the apartment building that the woman appeared to have hanged herself, while her children had strangulation marks on their necks and some signs of a struggle before their death. A relative reportedly found the mother, and police discovered the children's bodies in another room.

The mother had been discharged from a mental hospital on Tuesday, and she and the children had lived on social welfare handouts.

Immigration helping locals stuck in Mumbai, Thailand

The Security Bureau is advising Hong Kong residents to avoid unnecessary travel to India and Thailand, due to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the protestor siege at Bangkok's airports.

Those already in those regions were told to be careful.

Those needing assistance in India can call the Immigration Department's 24-hour hotline (852) 1868; the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi at (91) 11-24675259 or (91) 11-24675559; the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai at (91) 9820302548 or (91) 9892311482; or the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata at (91) 33 40048169.

Officer charged with raping woman in police station

Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing said yesterday that the police force's reputation and credibility have been affected by the suspected rape of a woman informant by an officer in the police station.

A 29-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday and is scheduled to appear in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today charged with one count of rape. He is accused of raping a 19-year-old woman inside the Mong Kok Police Station on Monday.

Tang reiterated that the police force condemns and doesn't tolerate such behavior, adding that the case will be handled seriously and impartially.

Flesh-eating disease strikes elderly man

The Centre for Health Protection has confirmed a case of necrotizing fasciitis, or flesh-eating disease, involving a 77-year-old man in Kwai Chung.

He reported painful swelling on his right middle finger and a fever on Monday. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital and was listed in stable condition.

He tested positive for vibrio vulnificus, a bacteria that causes necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection of the soft tissue that can cause death within 12 to 24 hours.

China Daily

(HK Edition 11/28/2008 page1)