Labor Department: 10 Foreign Domestic Helpers Confirmed Deceased, 30 Still Missing; Hong Kong Provides Compensation Approximately HK$800,000 Per Deceased

The deadly fire at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court, which reached a Level 5 alarm, resulted in severe casualties, including a number of foreign domestic helpers. Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Sun Yu-han, held a press conference this afternoon alongside Secretary of Philippines Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo J. Cacdac, stating that Hong Kong government will provide comprehensive support and assistance to the foreign domestic helpers affected by the fire.

Secretary of Labor and Welfare, Chris Sun You-han meets media with Secretary of Migrant Workers of Philippines ,Hans Leo J. Cacdac, stating the relief measures towards foreign domestic helpers affected by Tai Po fire. Photo by Bastillepost

Sun Yu-han stated that deceased foreign domestic helpers are eligible for statutory compensation, with a preliminary estimate exceeding HK$500,000. Additionally, the government will provide a one-time ex-gratia payment of HK$200,000 and a special grant of HK$50,000, bringing the total compensation for each deceased helper to approximately HK$800,000.

For injured helpers, a condolence payment of either HK$50,000 or HK$100,000 will be provided based on their hospitalization duration. Helpers who survived and are safe will receive a one-time payment of HK$20,000. Furthermore, both injured and safe helpers will receive an Octopus card with a stored value of HK$2,000.

Wang Fuk Court, after the deadly fire happened last Wednesday. Photo by Bastillepost

Sun Yu-han reported that 235 foreign domestic helpers were employed at Wang Fuk Court. Among them, 10 are deceased, 3 are injured, 192 are safe, and 30 remain missing. Of these helpers, 94 are from the Philippines and 141 are from Indonesia.

Secretary of Philippines Department of Migrant Workers Hans Leo J. Cacdac expressed gratitude to the Hong Kong SAR government for its swift and comprehensive support arrangements. The Consulate has already provided survivors with temporary accommodation, basic supplies, and is assisting in reissuing immigration and identification documents lost in the fire, while also cooperating with the Hong Kong Immigration Department to expedite processing.

Secretary of Migrant Workers of Philippines Hans Leo J. Cacdac, on behalf of Philippine President, expresses the deepest sympathy to those affected by Tai Po fire. Photo by Bastillepost

He also mentioned that a Filipino domestic helper who was previously in critical condition and admitted to the ICU is now stable. Arrangements are being made for her to return to her home country to reunite with her family in the future. For the deceased helpers, financial and other assistance has been provided to their families.

A theft occurred recently at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, with three workers involved in reinforcement work arrested for suspected of stealing valuables from a unit. Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, stated that security at Wang Fuk Court will be strengthened, including requiring workers to undergo body searches upon leaving.

Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow stated that the police suspended all reinforcement work at Wang Fuk Court immediately after the theft. Following a review, four new security measures will be introduced. These include increased police patrols, requiring workers to store personal valuables—such as jewelry, watches, and cash—in lockers before heading upstairs, and limiting each worker to carrying no more than HKD $500 in cash on-site (mobile phones are permitted). Additionally, police will first document any visibly valuable items inside the units, and workers will be subject to body searches and metal detector checks upon exit. The reinforcement work is scheduled to resume on Monday (9th).

Mr. Chow Yat-ming, the Commissioner of Police, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow noted that during previous work periods, police had registered workers' personal information—including ID card numbers and phone numbers—before officers escorted them to their work floors. Workers were also prohibited from carrying backpacks or bags upstairs. He added that only the three arrested workers have been implicated in the case so far, with no involvement of others found. As of 5 p.m. on March 7, police had received approximately 81 related reports, most of which expressed concerns from residents about unit security. Police will follow up on each report to determine whether theft was involved.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chow also stated receiving a report from a resident who suspected credit card theft. He urged residents worried about credit or bank cards left in their units to contact their banks immediately to report the loss and arrange for replacements. When asked whether the incident pointed to possible police negligence, Mr. Chow said an internal review would be conducted. If human error is identified, disciplinary action may follow.

Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post