Following a devastating incident, Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) teams in Hong Kong are continuing rigorous efforts to identify victims across the Kwong Fuk Court housing estate, even as structural safety concerns are being managed and community mourning deepens.
The recovery operations, led by the DVIU, pressed forward on Sunday, focusing on multiple residential blocks where the tragedy unfolded. Cheng Ka-chun, head of the DVIU, acknowledged the extremely challenging nature of on-site identification work. These efforts follow structural integrity assessments conducted by the Housing Department, which deemed the affected buildings safe for entry.
Victim Identification and Structural Safety
Teams successfully completed recovery and identification tasks at Wang Kin House and Wang Tai House. Focus has now shifted to ongoing operations at Wang Shing House, with plans to immediately move to Wang Sun House afterward.
The scale of the identification challenge remains significant: Police confirmed that 54 bodies still require formal identification. Additionally, approximately 100 missing-person reports currently remain untraceable. Despite the intensive recovery work, the Housing Department has reassured the public that preliminary surveys indicate no immediate structural danger within the affected residential towers.
Amidst the technical recovery, Police Commissioner Joe Chow visited the site alongside DVIU officers to assess progress and review the coordination of the complex operations.
Meanwhile, in a separate development demonstrating broader community resilience and return to normalcy, Sha Tin’s Sui Wo Court is preparing to dismantle scaffolding and protective netting from all nine blocks, aiming to conclude the work within two weeks.
Community Response and Pet Rescue Efforts
The human impact of the tragedy continues to evoke a strong public response. Public mourning swelled substantially on Sunday afternoon, with lines of citizens stretching approximately 1.5 kilometers to lay flowers. Organizers estimate that around 1,500 people participated in the solemn display of solidarity by mid-afternoon.
The aftermath has also significantly impacted local pets, prompting coordinated rescue and relief efforts. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), collaborating with volunteer groups, reported that 339 animals have been affected by the incident.
Of the pets recovered and handed over by fire services personnel:
- 136 animals survived and received care.
- 45 animals were found deceased.
The SPCA continues to receive animals recovered from various blocks around the clock and is urgently attempting to contact owners with updates on their pets’ status.
The organization has established resources for affected pet owners requiring immediate assistance. Owners needing veterinary help or pet supplies are advised to visit the dedicated SPCA pet relief station located in the park situated between Kwong Yee House and Kwong Lai House. Alternatively, owners can call the SPCA hotline at 9503 6229 for information and coordination.
The continuation of identification work, coupled with robust community support and specialized animal welfare operations, underscores a determined effort to address the multifaceted consequences of the disaster and provide resolution for affected families.