Hong Kong Fire Survivors Return to Devastated Wang Fuk Court as Death Toll Reaches 168

Emotional residents have returned to the most severely damaged block of Hong Kong's fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court, holding back tears as they recount harrowing escapes and call for more time to revisit their homes. Some survivors managed to retrieve precious belongings from the reopened blocks on Thursday, including a framed wedding photo and cats' ashes, as about 600 families from the ill-fated estate requested second visits to their flats. Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing said that the government would provide additional support for residents of Wang Cheong House, the hardest-hit block where 81 of the 168 deaths in the Tai Po fire occurred. Residents are returning between April 23 and April 28. "Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House were severely damaged by the fire, with more fatalities reported. Returning residents will need greater support, particularly emotional and psychological assistance," he said. Households of Wang Tai House, which recorded the highest death toll at 82, will return between April 29 and May 4. Cheuk said each resident entering the block would be accompanied by a police officer, noting that the Social Welfare Department would deploy a psychologist and a social worker to support households where fatalities occurred.