Hong Kong’s government initiated an unprecedented, multi-faceted response to mourn the victims and support the thousands affected by the devastating fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court apartment complex. Following the tragedy, Chief Executive John Lee and top officials will lead a three-minute silence at 8 a.m. tomorrow, Nov. 29, at the Government Headquarters. This act of collective mourning is being accompanied by comprehensive financial aid, focused social work support, coordinated funeral services, and a dedicated investigation into potential corruption surrounding the building’s major renovation project.
The government’s response, coordinated across numerous departments, involves extensive public gestures and immediate relief measures set to provide long-term assistance to residents.
Honoring the Deceased and Community Condolence
From Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, all national and regional flags on government buildings and facilities, including overseas Hong Kong SAR offices, will be flown at half-mast. During this period of mourning, senior governmental officials will cancel or postpone non-essential public engagements, along with any planned government-organized or funded celebratory events.
For public participation, the Home Affairs Department has established condolence points in each of the 18 districts across the territory. Residents can sign books of condolence between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
Immediate Financial and Housing Support
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak detailed the substantial financial commitments prioritized for affected households. The government allocated significant direct aid:
- Emergency Cash Grant: HK$10,000 distributed to every affected household.
- Bereaved Family Payment: Ex gratia payments of HK$200,000 for each family that lost a loved one.
- Living Allowance: A HK$50,000 living allowance will be offered to each household starting next week.
Recognizing that many residents evacuated without essential belongings, authorities expedited cash disbursement. Applications for 78 households were immediately processed and funds released.
Housing remains a critical concern, with approximately 720 individuals currently utilizing shelter centers. The government plans to quickly deploy around 1,800 units of free temporary accommodation—including transitional housing, youth hostels, and hotels—within two weeks. Applications for all aid are being streamlined through the “one household, one social worker” registration mechanism, which has already registered 1,200 households. The government also launched an online platform to coordinate public donations of materials and address longer-term rehousing needs.
Relief Fund Surpasses Half-Billion Mark
The Wang Fuk Court Relief Fund, established just yesterday with an initial HK$300 million government injection, has rapidly received an additional HK$500 million in community contributions, demonstrating broad public support for the victims.
Coordinated Social and Educational Assistance
The government’s support extends beyond financial aid to encompass mental health and educational needs. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun confirmed that social workers and clinical psychologists are available 24/7 at mortuaries to support families processing loss. The “one household, one social worker” scheme has registered 930 households, ensuring personalized assistance.
In the education sector, Secretary for Education Christine Choi announced specialized incident support grants for schools in the Tai Po district to assist affected pupils and parents. Secondary and primary schools, including special schools, will each receive HK$100,000, while kindergartens will receive HK$50,000. Additionally, the Education Bureau will host briefings to help school personnel manage students’ post-incident mental health.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is dedicating staff to expedite funeral processes, increasing cremation slots and providing additional columbarium niches—all offered free of charge.
Corruption Probe Widens
Separately, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) continues its aggressive investigation into corruption linked to the Wang Fuk Court’s major renovation works. As of yesterday evening, the ICAC detained two additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to four. Authorities transported the suspects to the Fook Hong Industrial Building in Kowloon Bay for questioning in what appears to be a widening probe into the building’s maintenance history.
The government is prioritizing transparency and assistance while strongly advising the public against spreading misinformation that could impede ongoing relief operations. Residents who have not yet registered their contact details can call 182183 for follow-up and essential support coordination.