The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on Saturday said that a total of 13 Filipinos remain unaccounted for following the deadly fire that tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angie Escalona said the 13 were listed as occupants or workers at Wang Fuk Court, the residential block struck by the fire.
However, neither their employers nor their next of kin have reported them missing.
“We just need to make sure they’re really no longer in the site when the fire broke out,” Escalona said, noting that the verification process involves cross-checking employment records, registered addresses, and employer confirmations.
The consulate said the 13 individuals may have been off duty, temporarily staying elsewhere, or no longer working at the listed address, possibilities that must be ruled out before removing them from the affected list.
Aside from the 13 under verification, the consulate confirmed that 78 Filipinos are safe. One Filipino was injured and is receiving medical care, while one remains officially listed as missing.
Consular teams are coordinating with Hong Kong authorities, employers, and community groups to finalize the verification and ensure no Filipino remains overlooked.
