Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Volunteers and community groups rushed in, determined to help after a major residential complex fire broke out in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday.

A steady stream of emergency supplies such as blankets, food and water, donated by enterprises and individuals, has been arriving at the temporary shelters.

Many residents have also voluntarily transported supplies, organized fundraisers, and offered online psychological counseling.

"I've lived here for over 30 years. Our hearts are incredibly heavy right now. But at the same time, we feel deeply comforted by the support from our national leaders, leaders at all levels, and all sectors of society. Those who can give money are giving money, those who can contribute effort are giving their strength. It makes us feel that when one place is in trouble, help comes from all directions. Our volunteers come from all over Hong Kong, as well as from the mainland and even overseas. Everyone came voluntarily, and most of us didn't know each other beforehand," said a volunteer.

"My feeling is that we are all Hong Kong people, and when others need help, we young people, can do our part and help by providing daily necessities and essentials they need. They are all very happy about that," said a senior high school student.

"Everyone is working together. This truly reflects the spirit of 'when one place is in trouble, aid comes from all directions,'" said another high school volunteer on site.

Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, has also organized volunteers to provide assistance.

"We recruited 1,200 volunteers in two days. Currently, supplies are plentiful, we have sufficient personnel, and there are many volunteers. So we can see that everyone is united and doing their utmost to support the disaster relief efforts. I feel that this shows Hong Kong is full of love," Ng said.

Firefighting, rescue and search operations were completed on Friday morning after the fatal blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po on Wednesday afternoon. The tragedy has claimed 128 lives.

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Residents across Hong Kong rush to help after deadly fire

Israel's Foreign Ministry has apologized for the brief detention of Gilles Michaud, Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security at the United Nations Department of Safety and Security, at an Israeli airport, attributing the incident to human error, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily briefing that an apology had been received from Israel's Foreign Ministry over Tuesday's incident in which Gilles Michaud was questioned after arriving at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport.

Haq said Michaud's visit had been aimed at discussing Israel's obligations to ensure the safety of UN personnel in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and the wider region. The security of UN staff and humanitarian workers, he said, is an essential precondition for UN's operations.

"Obviously he, like other UN officials, is accorded diplomatic protocols during their travel. In this particular incident in Israel, Under-Secretary-General Gilles Michaud received an apology from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs for his reception at the airport, and they attributed the matter to human error," said the spokesman.

Israeli media reported on Tuesday that Michaud was briefly detained and questioned after arriving at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international gateway near Tel Aviv. According to the reports, he was taken to a holding area and kept there for about 45 minutes, during which he was asked about an official visit he made to Gaza in August 2025.

Michaud was stopped and checked by Shin Bet, Israel's domestic security agency. He later described the treatment as "unusual" for a senior UN official, saying he had "never experienced anything like it" in any other country.

Israel apologizes after detention of senior UN official: spokesman