Radio Lantau News

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1. Those distressed by Tai Po fire urged to seek help

   Health professionals called on those affected by the deadly Tai Po fire to seek professional help if they experience intense or persistent distressing emotions in the aftermath of the tragedy. The blaze at Wang Fuk Court has so far taken 94 lives, including a firefighter. President of the Hong Kong Psychological Society Ephraem Tsui told RTHK's Backchat programme on Friday that it wouldn't just be households who were directly affected that needed help; others who were indirectly caught up in the disaster would need support too. "Those in the disaster, the incident [will] suffer even more intense or longer. But those at the side observing, witnessing, just reading or looking at the picture, they can also be affected," he said. Dr Tsui went on to say even though most people can get over the negative emotions within days or weeks, one-tenth of them may endure a hard time for months, and they would need professional help in case they suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Adults should also pay attention to any behavioural change in children, as not all are able to verbalise their distress, he added. Adrian Sham, a fellow of the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists, noted that symptoms such as intrusive memories, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or feelings of numbness may indicate the need for professional support. "If people experience very distressing reactions paralysing the life, the functioning, sleep. And if they feel the symptoms could not be reduced or weaned off for a certain period of time, like lasting for three to four weeks, this is an alarming condition that we need to seek professional help," he said. Dr Sham urged people to avoid spending too much time reading related news browsing images and footage that may cause distress emotions. Clinical psychologist Eliza Cheung from the Hong Kong Red Cross called for more mental health support for responders, as it is also a very tough time for frontline staff. While it is crucial to train up more professionals, she said educating volunteers is equally important as they can lend a helping hand when there are overwhelming needs during crises and emergencies.

2. Search to be completed by 9am as death toll hits 94

   Firefighters said early on Friday they expect a search and rescue operation at a fire-ravaged Tai Po housing estate to be completed by 9am, when they anticipate they would have gained access to all of the flats at the seven apartment blocks affected by the inferno. The Fire Services Department said as of 6am on Friday, the death toll in the Wang Fuk Court tragedy had risen to 94, with 76 others injured. Earlier, deputy fire services director Derek Chan told an early-morning briefing that firefighters would prioritise three calls for help that they received late on Thursday, out of 25 outstanding requests for assistance. "At the same time, we'll endeavour to effect forcible entry to all the units of the seven buildings, so as to ensure there are no other possible casualties," he told reporters. Chan said after the operation is complete, they’ll be able to provide a full tally of the number of missing. Chief Executive John Lee had said early on Thursday that 279 people were unaccounted for. The deputy fire chief said most of the casualties were from two apartment blocks where the fire was particularly fierce – Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House. Chan said while the fire had already largely been put out, a few units were still on fire, and firefighters would hose down the smouldering embers to lower temperatures and prevent reignition. Asked when residents could move back in, Chan said authorities first have to complete an inspection of the buildings’ anti-fire systems. _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-11-28 HKT 06:47

3. Senior mainland officials visit Tai Po fire victims

   Zhou Ji, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, and Nong Rong, deputy director of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday visited the victims of the Tai Po fire. They met them at Tai Po Community Centre and Prince of Wales Hospital, where Zhou conveyed President Xi Jinping's deep condolences over the incident, and also expressed sympathies to the families of the deceased and those affected by the fire. The liaison office, of which Zhou serves as director, pointed out that after the fire broke out, the SAR government promptly took action to bring the blaze under control. It expressed confidence that the SAR government will continue efforts to search for the missing, assist the injured, and quickly uncover the cause of the incident. The office said central authorities would fully support the SAR government should any assistance in rescue and relief efforts be needed. Zhou and Nong also met with medical staff, district care team members, police officers and Home Affairs Department staff involved in rescue efforts. Xu Qifang, executive deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office, also arrived in Hong Kong in the afternoon to assist with disaster relief work. During a press conference, Chief Executive John Lee expressed gratitude for the central government's support. “I hope the rescue work can be completed as soon as possible," Lee said. “We have always maintained some tools and equipment for emergency rescue in the Greater Bay Area, which we believe are good resources that we can utilise,” he added.

4. HKJC sets up HK$100m fund for Tai Po fire victims

   The Hong Kong Jockey Club on Thursday announced that it will offer a HK$100 million emergency relief fund to help the victims affected by the deadly fire at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court. It said that the family of each deceased person will get HK$150,000. As for victims who are seriously injured, they will get HK$100,000 each, and half for every person in stable condition. At least HK$10,000 will be offered to relocated families, depending on the household size. Short-term housing operators, meanwhile, can get a up to HK$20,000 to furnish housing units for affected households. The funds will be distributed by the Social Welfare Department and NGOs. The club emphasised that the fund is only the "first tranche" of its support. Its Charities Trust is also closely working with relevant government departments and NGOs to assist victims over the next few months, such as by offering transitional housing and food assistance. "The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply saddened by the tragic fire which broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po yesterday. We extend our condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and our sympathy to all those who have suffered injury and loss during the fire," a statement read.

5. Working groups to follow up on Tai Po blaze: CE

   Chief Executive John Lee said the government will establish three working groups to follow up on the deadly inferno at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. At least 65 people have died in the tragedy and dozens more injured. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Lee said he is highly concerned about the case, adding that apart from providing immediate assistance, his administration will focus on remedial and investigative work. He said three working groups will be set up. The first group, led by Chief Secretary Eric Chan, will focus on investigating the cause of the fire and ensuring that those found to be at fault are held accountable. The group will also look into ways to step up monitoring and regulatory work to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. Chan said all buildings undergoing construction work with scaffolding will be inspected. He also said bamboo scaffolding will be phased out and replaced with metal scaffolding for safety reasons. "In terms of fire resistance, they cannot match metal scaffolding. For safety reasons, the government believes that, under a suitable work environment, full adoption of metal scaffolding is necessary," Chan said. "We will work with the industry to prepare and help train workers to transition to other job types.” The second group, headed by Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk, will follow up on emergency assistance work and donation-collection activities. The third group, which deals with the emergency rehousing of affected residents, will be overseen by Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong. "I know everyone feels extremely painful and heartbroken about the incident. We are together experiencing this collective pain," Lee said. "I hope members of the public can turn this sorrow and love into a constructive force so that we can maintain the normal operation of the society and help society heal as soon as possible." In a statement, released late on Thursday, the government said the contractor of the renovation at Wang Fuk Court is also working on 11 other private housing projects. It said Buildings Department officials have visited the sites and will take suitable follow up action. _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-11-27 HKT 22:30

6. HK$300m fund to help Tai Po fire victims

   Chief Executive John Lee said on Thursday that a HK$300 million dollar fund has been set up to provide support for residents affected by the massive blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Each affected household will receive HK$10,000 in emergency relief funds. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the fire scene in the afternoon, Lee said society is devastated by the tragedy, and the government is rolling out a series of measures to offer immediate help to residents. Apart from providing affected households with cash relief, each of them will also be assigned a social worker to follow up on their needs. The government will also take in donations from members of the public via two Bank of China (Hong Kong) accounts. The two account numbers are 012-875-2-190159-7 for Hong Kong-dollar donations, and 012-875-2190160-7 for other currencies. The CE added that doctors and other medical staff will be on standby at each temporary shelter to offer medical advice and treatment for those in need. In the longer term, affected households could be moved to transitional housing units, youth dormitories and a number of hotels across Hong Kong. Officials will also make special arrangements for families in need of burial or cremation services. The Chief Executive noted that government-led celebratory events will be cancelled for some time, and mourning activities will be held. Lee added that civil servants will be mobilised to help with any follow-up and relief work. In a statement, the government added that flags at public buildings will be flown at half mast, and details on memorial services and public condolence books will be announced later. _____________________________ Last updated: 2025-11-27 HKT 22:27

7. Home where the heart is for Tai Po FC in Sydney

   Tai Po FC wore black arm bands and stood in silence ahead of their match in Asian club competition in Sydney on Thursday. The club faced Australian side Macarthur FC away in the AFC Champions League Two, the second-tier club tournament in Asian football. Tai Po's players wore black arm bands and both teams stood in solemn silence ahead of kickoff at Campbelltown Sports Stadium outside Sydney. Tai Po's Brazilian captain Igor Sartori declined to celebrate after putting his side ahead in the 24th minute, instead putting his hands together in prayer. However, the west Sydney side came from behind with two goals from Luke Vickery in the 50th and 70th minutes to edge out the fighting Tai Po FC. (AFP)

8. Fast help for victims to pick up pieces of their lives

   Authorities have rolled out measures in support of residents displaced by the No 5 alarm fire in Tai Po, including replacement of lost identity cards and travel documents, medical stations at temporary shelters as well as social welfare assistance. The Immigration Department said people can arrange for damaged or lost Hong Kong identity cards and travel documents to be replaced, without needing to to make an appointment, at Immigration Department headquarters or any branch office during business hours. The Primary Healthcare Commission has set up medical stations at all temporary shelters from 8am to 8pm to handle basic medical assessments, treatments for minor injuries, medication refills based on records, referral and psychological support for non-emergency cases. The Department of Health and Hospital Authority sent teams overnight for initial on-site checks, with more than 250 private doctors and 250 other healthcare workers from public and private sectors assisting. The 24-hour mental health hotline 18111 has increased staffing to address emotional distress arising as a result of the worst fire in modern Hong Kong history. Social Welfare Department staff, including social workers and clinical psychologists, have been stationed at shelters and hospital help desks to provide welfare aid and emotional support for the injured and families. Due to school closures from the fire and traffic, all Integrated Children and Youth Service Centres in Tai Po remain open all day to care for children of affected parents.

9. ICAC and police cast wide net in fire probe

   The Independent Commission Against Corruption said on Thursday it had launched an investigation into the renovation project at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. In a statement, the city's anti-graft agency said it was deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by the fire there, adding that it will look into "possible corruption issues". "In view of the immense public interest involved, the ICAC today set up a task force to launch a full investigation into the possible corruption in the grand renovation project of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po," the commission said. Earlier, comments emerged online criticising the massive renovation project at the Tai Po estate, which started in the middle of last year at a cost of HK$330 million and with each unit paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000. Experts have pointed to long-term renovation works surrounding buildings in the eight-tower estate that might have widened the scope for the fire to spread from its origins in Wang Cheong House. Police on Thursday earlier raided the office of the contractor of the renovations project in San Po Kong, seizing documents folders. Some were labelled with names of estates in Tai Po and Tai Wai.

10. John Lee inspects scene of deadly fire

    Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday inspected the scene of Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades. Blazes that engulfed seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po have claimed at least 55 lives. Three blocks were still on fire, more than 24 hours after the tragedy began to unfold on Wednesday afternoon. Accompanied by Chief Secretary Eric Chan and Security Secretary Chris Tang, Lee was briefed on the latest situation by Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung. The CE spent time in a mobile command unit at the site, before heading to a neighbouring estate to get a closer look at the scene. He was joined there by other officials, including Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong and Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak.