Police complete identifications and forensic examinations of remains from Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire
The Police announced today (January 15) that the identifications and forensic examinations of the remains from the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire have been completed, with a total of 168 deceased persons confirmed. The deceased comprise 58 males and 110 females, aged between 6 months and 98 years. Four of the deceased were certified dead after being taken to the hospital, while the remains of the other 164 were recovered at the scene.
DVIU entered the burned units of Wang Fuk Court to search for corpses, Photo source: FB of Hong Kong Police
Among the deceased were a fireman, two interior decorators, five construction workers, and 10 foreign domestic helpers (nine Indonesians and one Filipina).
All bereaved families have been notified of the confirmed identities of the deceased. The Police stated that all remains recovered in the incident have been positively identified, leaving no unidentified remains outstanding. Moreover, all enquiries regarding the Wang Fuk Court fire received by the Casualty Enquiry Unit have been verified, with no missing persons unaccounted for.
The Police continue to investigate the fire, with a death investigation report to be submitted to the coroner, who will review it and decide whether an inquest should be held. Should a court hearing be convened, the deceased's particulars shall be submitted to the court by the Police. Respecting the wishes of the grieving relatives, the Police will not disclose the deceased's particulars at this stage.
For enquiries, members of the public can contact the Police casualty enquiry hotline at 1878 999.
Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post
CE continues visit to Beijing
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, continued his visit to Beijing today (March 4), meeting with the heads of higher education institutions in Beijing and exchanging views with Hong Kong youths studying there.
In the afternoon, Mr Lee met with the Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, Professor Qiu Yong, to exchange views on issues of mutual concern. Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has been accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) and has reserved about 90 hectares of land for developing the NM University Town. He welcomed Tsinghua University, a top-tier university in the country, to bring its advanced disciplines and academic programmes to the NM University Town to achieve collaborative development. The HKSAR Government will continue to actively foster closer co-operation between higher education institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Mr Lee said that he looks forward to seeing Tsinghua University and higher education institutions in Hong Kong deepen their collaboration under the Beijing-Hong Kong Universities Alliance, further enabling the two places' higher education institutions to complement each other's strengths in talent cultivation and scientific research.
Afterwards, Mr Lee attended a seminar for Hong Kong students studying in Beijing organised by the Hong Kong Alumni Association of Beijing Universities, where he exchanged views with the students to better understand their learnings and daily life. Addressing the event, Mr Lee encouraged the young people from Hong Kong to make the best use of their study opportunities in Beijing to gain an in-depth understanding of the country's history and latest developments. Mr Lee also encouraged them to leverage their strengths and tell the good stories of Hong Kong, to contribute their youthful power to build a great country and achieve national rejuvenation.
In the evening, Mr Lee attended a dinner with the heads of a number of higher education institutions in Beijing which are included in the aggregate list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme. During the dinner, they exchanged views on such issues as the National 15th Five-Year Plan, the NM University Town and innovation and technology development. Noting that the HKSAR Government has set up the Task Force on Study in Hong Kong to take forward the promotion of the "Study in Hong Kong" brand to attract top-notch students globally, Mr Lee said he looks forward to seeing more Mainland students and exchange students coming to pursue studies in Hong Kong.
Mr Lee will attend the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress tomorrow (March 5).
Source: AI-found images
