The Death Toll Of Indonesian Citizens In The Apartment Complex Fire In Hong Kong Increases To 9 People

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The sad news came again from Hong Kong, after the local police confirmed the addition of Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were killed in the fire at the Wang Fuk Court Apartment Complex, Tai Po, Hong Kong.

"Releasing data on victims of the fire incident from the Hong Kong Police Force to date (30/11) at 12.20 Hong Kong time, the number of Indonesian citizens who died increased by two people and the number of injured increased by 1 person," according to the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sunday (30/11).

"The total number of Indonesian citizens who died who had been confirmed to be 9 people and injured was 3 people," continued the Indonesian Consulate General.

It is known that the fire incident in seven apartment buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential area, Tai Po, Hong Kong, was detected since Wednesday, before 15:00 local time with rapid escalation reaching the highest level of warning in Hong Kong "No. 5 alarms" at 18:22 local time.

As of Friday at 23:59 local time, the death toll has reached 128, while 79 others have suffered serious injuries and are receiving treatment spread across 15 hospitals in Hong Kong.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong explained, based on the results of consolidation of labor data and direct field verification carried out by the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong, it was recorded that around 140 (one hundred) Indonesian citizens/PMI in the domestic sector worked in the Wang Fuk Court residential area.

"Of these, 61 (sixty-one) people have been confirmed their whereabouts and conditions, including Indonesian citizens/PMI who died. Meanwhile, 79 (seventy-nine) Indonesian citizens/PMI are still being verified for their whereabouts and conditions," explained the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong.

Regarding this incident, the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong moved quickly to open an emergency post at the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong since Wednesday night. The Indonesian Consulate General also moved quickly to coordinate with local authorities to obtain access to information on affected Indonesian citizens/PMI.

"After obtaining permission from the local authorities, since Thursday (27/11) morning sending a team to the field to identify and verify the affected Indonesian citizens/PMI, as well as the distribution of necessary logistical assistance, such as; food, drinks and sanitary packs," explained the Indonesian Consulate General.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong then also established an emergency post at Tai Po Community as soon as he received clearance from the Hong Kong Government and Tai Po District Office on Friday.

"The function is to identify and verify the affected Indonesian citizens/PMI; distribution of necessary logistical assistance; in terms of loss of Indonesian Passports, carry out initial facilitation for re-issuance, and other assistance that may be carried out in accordance with applicable local safety, law and regulations protocols," explained the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong.

In addition, the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong also established communication with public nodes to capture information on the whereabouts and condition of Indonesian citizens/PMIs who may be affected.