Families facing heartbreaking uncertainty in aftermath of Hong Kong fire tragedy
Grief and desperation as relatives wait in anguish for news of loved ones missing in devastating Tai Po estate blaze
Leaving Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin on Thursday, unaware of the whereabouts of some of his relatives, a 76-year-old man surnamed Lam was left uncertain how to arrange the funeral of his older brother, who had just died in Hong Kong’s worst fire in seven decades.
He arrived at the interdepartmental help desk in the hospital lobby early in the morning to look for his sister-in-law and nephew, who had lived with his brother, 80, in the same flat at Wang Cheong House.
“They haven’t picked up the phone since yesterday. I’m so worried that they are still in the house,” Lam said.
Lam was among scores of families anxiously waiting for news about their loved ones or for updates on those being treated for injuries from the massive fire in Wang Fuk Estate in Tai Po, which had continued to burn for a second day.
As of 2.50pm on Thursday, the death toll had risen to 55, with an unknown number of people still trapped inside the seven residential tower blocks that were ablaze. Only one block had been spared from the inferno.
‘ There’s nothing left’: Hong Kong residents devastated by deadly housing estate fire
Earlier in the day, hospital officers told Lam that there were no records showing his sister-in-law and nephew had been admitted.