One Pinoy injured, one missing in Hong Kong fire

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong has reported one Filipino injured but no confirmed casualty in the fire that struck Wang Fuk Court housing complex in northern Tai Po district, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday. 

One overseas Filipino worker was brought to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital while another Filipino was reported missing. 

“The consulate, together with the MWO-HK and OWWA-HK, conducted a joint visit of the shelters administered by the Hong Kong government to extend assistance to Filipino nationals affected by the fire. A total of 23 Filipino domestic workers required welfare assistance,” the DFA said, referring to migrant workers’ agencies of both Hong Kong and the Philippines.

“The consulate confirmed that one OFW is confined at the ICU of a local hospital. The consulate and MWO-HK will continue to coordinate with Hong Kong’s Police Force, Labor Department and Home Affairs Department to determine the whereabouts of one missing Filipino,” it added.

The DFA gave assurance that it is closely monitoring the situation in Tai Po and thanked Hong Kong authorities who are helping locate, identify and assist affected Filipinos of the fire.

The Philippine consulate also said several Filipino domestic helpers have been accounted for after earlier being reported missing in the massive fire that struck a housing complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Agimat party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla urged the DFA to immediately set up a 24/7 assistance desk at the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong to support OFWs affected by the deadly fire that struck residential buildings in the city.

He said the assistance desk must provide continuous welfare monitoring, facilitate emergency communication between OFWs and their families, coordinate emergency documentation needs and ensure displaced Filipinos receive food, shelter and psychosocial support.

“This tragedy highlights the urgent need for 24/7, real-time support for our OFWs in Hong Kong,” Revilla said.

Revilla noted that migrant Filipino workers in Hong Kong are uniquely vulnerable due to the nature of their employment and living conditions.

Many Filipino workers, he added, are subject to restrictive rules such as the mandatory live-in policy and the two-week rule (immediate expulsion upon leaving a job), which reduce their ability to seek safer accommodations or transfer employment during crises.