The Hong Fu Court fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong: On the 15th, the Hong Kong government announced that the number of casualties has risen to 168. To respect the wishes of the families, the victims’ names will not be released at this stage.
Law enforcement stated that identification and forensic work for the Hong Fu Court fire victims has been completed, with 168 deaths confirmed in total, including 58 males and 110 females, aged from 6 months to 98 years. Four people were pronounced dead after arriving at the hospital, while the bodies or remains of the other 164 were found on the scene at Hong Fu Court.
The deceased include one firefighter, two interior decorators, five construction workers, as well as ten foreign domestic workers (nine Indonesians and one Filipino).
All victims’ families have been notified of the confirmed identities. Law enforcement noted that every body or remains found in connection with the incident has now been fully identified—no remains are pending confirmation of identity. All fire-related cases inquired about through the casualty information center have also been verified, with no unconfirmed missing persons.
Law enforcement continues to follow up on the fire investigation and will submit a coroner’s report on the deaths to the coroner, who will decide whether to hold an inquest after reviewing the report. If an inquest is held, information on the deceased will be presented to the court by the police. Out of respect for the wishes of the families, law enforcement will not release the victims’ list at this time.