Support fund for Wang Fuk Court fire totals 4b HKD: HKSAR govt

The support fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, totaled about 4 billion Hong Kong dollars (about $514 million) as of Saturday.

The fund will be used to assist residents in rebuilding their homes and to provide long-term, sustained support, the HKSAR government said.

As of Saturday morning, a total of 581 residents are staying in hotel rooms through coordination by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, while 559 residents are staying in youth hostels or camps. Another 3,513 residents are currently living in transitional housing units provided by the Housing Bureau, units from the Hong Kong Housing Society, and an interim housing site in Tuen Mun.

The death toll from the major fire at the residential complex Wang Fuk Court has reached 161, with identification of all victims through DNA tests still in progress, the HKSAR government said.