It was a shocking scene on November 26 when flames engulfed Block 5 at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. By 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, the Hong Kong Police Force confirmed 159 lives lost and 31 people still missing. Many of the victims were maintenance workers – from contractors to crew members – who had been working on floors 10 to 13 when the fire broke out. 🔥
Union support rolled in quickly: representatives from the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union visited families of the deceased and survivors. The Hong Kong SAR government pledged equal treatment for all affected households. To ease the financial blow, the federation’s occupational safety association has granted HKD 20,000 (about $2,600) to each bereaved family. ❤️🏗️
A surviving worker recalled battling the inferno with on-site hoses after sparks from a neighbor’s building sent flames crashing into their work area. "We did everything we could, but the blaze spread faster than we imagined," he said. An evacuation order came too late for some. 🙏
As the community mourns, calls are growing for stronger safety protocols, better equipment, and more rigorous training for maintenance crews. This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who keep our urban landscapes alive and thriving. 🌆
Reference(s):
Workers among casualties in Wang Fuk Court blaze in Hong Kong
cgtn.com
