Search for Victims of Hong Kong Fire Approaches Conclusion

The extensive search for victims of a catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong is nearing completion. The blaze, which occurred on March 10, 2024, claimed at least 146 lives and marked the city’s deadliest fire in decades. The fire devastated seven high-rise towers, which are home to over 4,000 residents, a significant number of whom are elderly.

Specialized teams composed of approximately 600 disaster victim identification specialists have been meticulously searching each apartment since the fire was extinguished. According to Police Superintendent Cheng Ka-chun, remains have been located in various locations throughout the complex, including corridors, staircases, and even rooftops. “During the search, bodies were found in the building corridors, flats, staircases, and even on rooftops,” Cheng noted during a press conference.

The challenging task of identifying the deceased is compounded by the conditions within the buildings. Searchers, clad in boiler suits, navigate through dimly lit, narrow corridors filled with debris, making their work painstakingly slow. Cheng described the situation, stating, “The whole apartment has gone pitch-dark without electricity and lighting.”

By the evening of March 12, 2024, search teams had successfully recovered remains from four of the seven towers. Additionally, some survivors, including pets, were found in the wreckage. The deceased included many elderly residents, foreign domestic workers—nine of whom were from Indonesia and one from the Philippines—and a firefighter who was responding to the emergency.

In the wake of the tragedy, the community of Hong Kong has rallied in support of the victims. Hundreds of residents visited the site of the fire to pay their respects, laying flowers and leaving notes of condolence. A long queue formed, stretching over a kilometer into the Tai Po neighborhood. Many mourners, including families and foreign domestic helpers, attached messages to columns in a nearby park. One note read, “Truth will reveal itself. God bless Hong Kong.”

As the community grieves, donations have surged, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Local businesses and citizens have contributed food and necessities to a resource center established by volunteers within the complex. Volunteers have been actively distributing food and water to those affected.

Despite this outpouring of support, the government has expressed caution regarding the community’s response. Authorities have warned against any resurgence of anti-government sentiment, referencing pro-democracy protests that occurred in 2019. The Beijing National Security Office in Hong Kong has urged the local government to take action against those attempting to use the fire as a catalyst for dissent.

In recent developments, the National Security Police have arrested three individuals, including one suspected of incitement. This arrest followed the distribution of materials supporting an online petition that called for an independent inquiry into the fire, which garnered over 10,000 signatures before being removed.

As the search for victims concludes, the focus shifts to the broader implications of the tragedy and the community’s response. Authorities have requested volunteers to leave the site, stating that they will centralize resource distribution and require registration through WhatsApp for future donations. The situation remains fluid as Hong Kong continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event.