Since the fire broke out at Hong Kong’s Hong Fuk Court on the 26th, at least 128 lives have been lost. Many family members have been rushing between the deceased identification station and different hospitals, all just to find a trace of their loved ones, as everyone is still clinging to hope of being reunited.
According to an AFP report on the 29th, at one hospital, 38-year-old Ms. Huang was brought to tears because she couldn't find her loved ones. She said: “We can’t find them. We keep going to different hospitals, asking if there is any good news.”
46-year-old Ms. Yang said she saw a photo of her 70-year-old mother being carried on a stretcher in the news, but even after calling all the public hospitals, she still could not find her mother’s whereabouts.
●Going to the identification station to view photos of the deceased
Mr. Feng, whose mother-in-law’s place of residence turned into a sea of fire, has not been able to reach her for two whole days. Still, he has not given up hope of bringing his mother-in-law home, and like many other family members searching for loved ones, went to the deceased identification station, looking through photos of the deceased with his wife.
After two unsuccessful visits to the identification station, Mr. Feng also learned that no public hospital was currently treating his mother-in-law. Mr. Feng told AFP: “It's extremely tormenting, because I have to see things I really don't want to see.”
Currently, many family members are identifying the bodies of their loved ones at the mortuary. In the parking lot, staff first unload dozens of bodies sealed in black bags, and then the grieving families arrive by shuttle.
Siu Sin-man, the executive director of the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, is providing emotional support to families at the mortuary. She described the atmosphere there as “tragic and desolate.” Siu told AFP, “Some people have lost family members, and they must immediately handle funeral matters while also facing their own emotions.”
Siu said the government must devise short-, medium-, and long-term plans and be psychologically prepared to decide how to provide comprehensive assistance to those who have suffered major trauma and loss.