HONG KONG: Visits Begin for Fire Victims to Retrieve Belongings
On Monday, victims of Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades made the first visits to their damaged homes, accompanied by government officials. They hope to collect personal items that may have survived the devastating blaze that occurred in November.
The fire swept through seven high-rise residential buildings, each with 31 floors, in the Tai Po district. It tragically resulted in the deaths of 168 people and took nearly two full days to extinguish, surpassing the infamous Grenfell Tower fire in London back in 2017.
Among those returning was a 50-year-old resident named Chung, who expressed a deep desire to find his computer, containing cherished photographs of his son. He prepared with bags and tools but felt uncertain about how much time he would have when he got to his apartment.
Until May 4, former residents of Wang Fuk Court can enter their flats for three-hour visits, wearing facemasks, helmets, and gloves for safety. Up to four people can register to enter each home, but severely damaged apartments are limited to just one visitor.
Assistance is provided by around 1,000 staff members, including firefighters, who will help the estimated 6,000 visitors navigate the site and safeguard their items. Warner Cheuk, Hong Kong’s deputy chief secretary, emphasized the importance of adhering to the time limit.
Many impacted residents are elderly, with over a third being 65 years or older, according to data from Midland Realty. In the wake of this tragedy, the community is still searching for answers regarding the fire’s origins and holding authorities accountable.
An independent committee has begun hearings to investigate the cause and examine allegations of bid-rigging by construction companies. Officials suspect human error played a significant role in the failure of fire safety measures.
Authorities have also cautioned against any attempts to politicize the tragedy. In April, the Housing Bureau announced they would not redevelop the site due to the prolonged process and uncertainties. Earlier, in February, the government indicated it planned to allocate about HK$4 billion (around $512 million) for buying out property owners.
