Hong Kong mourns Tai Po fire victims as relief efforts continue

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong on Saturday started a series of mourning activities after firefighting and rescue operations in the fire-struck residential complex of Wang Fuk Court were largely completed.

John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), along with principal officials of the HKSAR government and civil servants, participated in a memorial service at the government headquarters on Saturday.

The memorial service started at around 8:00 am. With the national flag and the HKSAR flag hoisted at half-mast, all officials present observed a three-minute silence in mourning for the fire victims.

During the three-day mourning period, the government will set up condolence points in all 18 districts across the city, enabling the public to sign condolence books and mourn the victims.

As of 3 pm local time Saturday, the fire at the residential complex had left 128 dead and 83 others injured, with 144 people previously listed as missing now confirmed safe, according to the police.

So far, support funds for the fire have reached HK$1.1 billion (about $141.3 million), with HK$800 million coming from donations and HK$300 million from government grants, according to Cheuk Wing-hing, deputy chief secretary for administration of the HKSAR government.