Tai Po Fire Victim Count Rises to 160; Six Persons Still Unaccounted For amid Investigation

Post by : Mina Rahman

Authorities report that the death toll from last month's Tai Po fire has now reached 160 after DNA verification confirmed the identities of two additional victims. Six individuals remain missing, with the identification of 40 bodies still pending.

Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming announced that the latest victims — an elderly woman and a domestic worker — were identified through DNA samples obtained from their relatives living in Hong Kong.

Efforts led by the Housing Department have successfully cleared away collapsed bamboo scaffolding from the affected structures. During this work, skeletal fragments were discovered, which are currently under investigation to ascertain whether they belong to humans or to previously recorded remains.

The Fire Services Department has successfully pumped out water from all seven impacted buildings and confirmed that no more remains have been discovered. Tsang Shuk-yin, who heads the casualty enquiry unit, provided updates indicating that 12 individuals are now confirmed safe, four passed away prior to the fire, and six resided outside the Wang Fuk Court estate. A total of six cases concerning missing individuals remain unresolved.

Authorities have gathered DNA samples from 162 relatives to expedite identification efforts, aided by the Government Laboratory. Ongoing operations are focused on the removal of debris, Styrofoam, and additional scaffolding from building exteriors.

Investigators are probing 21 fraud cases tied to the fire, resulting in two arrests so far. Six cases involving potentially forged safety documentation related to scaffolding nets are under examination, with revised regulations anticipated this week.

Several housing estates, such as Baguio Villa, Fung Wah Estate, Fortress Garden, Yee Kok Court, Ching Lai Court, and Marigold Mansions, are currently under investigation; however, no arrests have been made yet.

Concrete core analysis from the damaged buildings is ongoing. The Buildings Department has mandated the removal of scaffold nets from 230 private buildings.

The Labour Department has conducted inspections at 371 construction sites, resulting in 189 written warnings, 101 improvement notices, and 25 prosecutions concerning fire safety measures and emergency preparedness.

According to the Hospital Authority, all 24 patients currently hospitalized are in stable condition, including one person who was previously critical, and ongoing dedicated care will continue.