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Strength in Unity — from Disaster Relief to Accelerating Reforms

Over the past week, the entire community has been deeply concerned about the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The tragic images and lingering sorrow have stirred a profound sense of solidarity across society. In response, the HKSAR Government, the business sector and various community groups have joined forces, mobilising immense efforts to provide temporary accommodation, daily necessities, medical care, financial assistance, emotional support, and more – all with the shared goal of helping the victims navigate this incredibly difficult time.

I visited and offered my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire; I also visited the injured who are still hospitalised, and the victims now residing in temporary housing. I sought to understand their circumstances and needs firsthand. My heartfelt gratitude goes to the firefighters, police officers, healthcare professional and civil servants from various Government departments who took part in the rescue efforts. In the face of this sudden and devastating fire, over a thousand frontline personnel risked their lives to save others. Many support staff members also worked tirelessly behind the scenes to provide vital assistance to the victims.

Over the past week, I visited the injured receiving treatment at various hospitals.

During my hospital visits, the injured victims expressed deep gratitude to the firefighters who bravely entered the most dangerous places to save lives. One elderly man shared that he was only able to escape because a firefighter had carried him down more than ten floors. Others recounted how perilous the fire scene was, saying their lives were saved only through the firefighters' relay efforts – carrying them down, floor by floor. The selfless courage and dedication of the firefighters have earned the survivors' heartfelt admiration. The injured also conveyed their sincere thanks to the medical staff for their attentive care and the psychological support they have provided throughout this difficult time.

Visiting firefighters at Siu Lek Yuen Fire Station in Sha Tin who were involved in the rescue operation that day.

I also visited colleagues from the Hong Kong Police Force, including members of the 600-strong Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU), who continue to work tirelessly at the disaster site to recover the remains of the deceased. They are carrying out their duties with unwavering dedication, striving to retrieve and identify the remains so that the families can reclaim their loved ones and bid them farewell.

Doing one's utmost for the deceased while easing the burden of the living is an exceptionally difficult task. Members of the DVIU described to me the harrowing conditions at the site: stifling air thick with the smell of smoke, narrow and dark passageways, and floors littered with water and debris. Dressed in protective suits and carrying heavy equipment, they combed through dozens of floors, leaving no corner unchecked. With painstaking care, they sifted through debris and ashes by hand, striving to preserve any remains they might find, and to maintain the integrity of the bodies wherever possible. It was a gruelling test of both physical strength and mental endurance. Their profound respect for the deceased and compassionate commitment to reuniting families with their loved ones — across the divide of life and death — are deeply moving. Throughout the process, they endured immense psychological pressure. One member shared that even a small closet — a place no one would normally hide — was thoroughly searched, in case someone had desperately sought refuge there. Some scenes inside the flats were truly heartbreaking. Another member admitted that when leaving a flat empty-handed after an exhaustive search, they would pause, haunted by the thought that they might have missed something — wondering if there was more they could have done.

Visiting DVIU officers to learn more about their work firsthand.

DVIU officers found the exoskeleton devices from the Mainland to be extremely helpful.

Exoskeleton devices provided by the Mainland.

During the disaster relief operations, the unwavering support of the Central Government has been of immense importance. The country, along with various sister provinces and cities across the Mainland, has provided Hong Kong with substantial material and equipment support. A notable example is the assistance received by the DVIU. The exoskeleton devices supplied by the Mainland have proven to be highly useful, significantly reducing the physical strain on officers as they climbed and descended dozens of floors. This not only improved their search efficiency but also enabled the faster recovery of bodies from the fire-damaged flats.

All departments across the HKSAR Government are making every effort to provide comprehensive support to the victims, addressing both their immediate needs and long-term housing arrangements to ensure their overall well-being. Recently, I also convened another coordination meeting with financial regulators to further enhance collaboration and encourage the local financial sector to introduce more compassionate and flexible measures to support those affected. (See the relevant press release for details.)

In addition, the Government has increased the living allowance for each affected family from $50,000 to $100,000. We are also granting waivers on various fees and charges for those affected, including salaries tax, profits tax, rates, Government rent, water and sewage charges, as well as medical fees. (See the relevant press release for details.)

During my visit to the disaster area, I spoke with victims and members of the rescue and support teams. They all expressed a strong hope – and confidence – that the Government will conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to determine the cause of the fire. The Chief Executive has announced the establishment of an independent committee led by a judge to lead the investigation. Beyond uncovering the causes, we must also pursue comprehensive reforms to address prevailing gaps and strengthen our system to prevent similar tragedies from happening again in the future.

The Legislative Council General Election is being held today. I cast my vote this morning at my designated polling station, and I encourage all eligible voters to actively participate by casting their ballots.

Public support and unity are essential to driving effective, system-wide reforms. These reforms also require the backing and cooperation of the Legislative Council. Only through constructive collaboration between the executive and legislative branches can we accelerate comprehensive reforms.

The Legislative Council General Election is being held today. I urge all voters to actively cast their ballots to elect responsible, capable and visionary representatives to the Legislative Council, who can work hand in hand with the HKSAR Government to advance reforms, drive continuous progress in Hong Kong society, and strive for the well-being of our people and the prosperity of our city.

December 7, 2025