Hong Kong authorities confirmed on Sunday that 159 residents previously reported missing following a devastating November 26 fire in Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court have been accounted for. The death toll from the blaze has risen to 146, with 79 injured, according to police casualty inquiry unit head Tsang Shuk-yin.
Search operations concluded in four residential blocks of the complex, with structural safety confirmed for all affected buildings. About 100 cases remain unresolved due to incomplete data or mismatched residency records.
The HKSAR government has allocated transitional housing for over 1,500 displaced residents, including youth hostels and hotel accommodations. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak emphasized that the HK$50,000 per-household emergency allowance is an initial measure, with further support tailored to individual needs.
"We will ensure free housing until residents can rebuild their lives," Mak stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to long-term recovery efforts.
