Thirteen Filipinos remain unaccounted for following the deadly fire that tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong on Saturday said.
Hong Kong officially began its three-day mourning period with a moment of silence yesterday for the 128 people killed in one of the city’s deadliest fires.
City leader John Lee, along with senior ministers and dozens of top civil servants, stood in silence for three minutes at 8:00 am (0000 GMT) outside the government headquarters, where the flags of China and Hong Kong were flown at half-mast.
In Manila, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angie Escalona said the 13 were listed as occupants or workers at Wang Fuk Court.
However, neither their employers nor their next of kin have reported them missing, she said.
“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.
The consulate also confirmed that 78 Filipinos are safe from the fire. 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.
