Two Indonesian domestic workers are among the 55 people who have died in a major fire that struck a Tai Po housing estate in Hong Kong, the Indonesian government has said.
In a statement on Thursday, the Indonesian consulate general in Hong Kong said two Indonesians had died in the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po and that two others had been injured.
All four victims were domestic workers, the statement said.
“The safety and well-being of our nationals remain our utmost priority,” it added. “The Consulate General continues to maintain close coordination with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and other relevant parties to support our nationals affected by the fire.”
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the deaths and injuries in a statement to Indonesian media outlets.
The Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body said on Thursday evening that it had learned of around eight domestic workers – including seven Indonesian workers and one Filipino worker – who were still missing.
Joy, a Filipina domestic worker who lives in the only building at Wang Fuk Court not affected by the fire, told HKFP that some of her friends were missing after the blaze broke out.
“I only saw them on Sunday,” she said. At least 22 Filipino domestic workers live in Wang Fuk Court, Joy said, adding that she knew of six who were at temporary shelters.
The Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong said it has not received reports of casualties or injuries among Filipino nationals, local media reported.
At least 55 people have died in the fire that ripped through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate.
The blaze started in one of the blocks on Wednesday afternoon and quickly spread to others, engulfing seven of the estate’s eight residential towers.
The spread was exacerbated by construction mesh and other renovation materials covering the blocks, which had been undergoing large-scale repair work since last year.
Wong Ka-wing, a deputy director of the Fire Services Department, said during a media briefing on Thursday afternoon that the fire had been “largely put out” at four of the blocks. It was still burning in the remaining three but was “under control.”
As of 6pm on Thursday, a total of 80 people have been hospitalised. Among them, 12 were in critical condition, and 28 were in serious condition.
Additional reporting: Hans Tse.
