The Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) announced today that it will donate HK$30 million (30.9 million patacas), through the public Macau Foundation (FM), to support the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in its relief efforts and reconstruction projects following Wednesday’s deadly fire that gutted a large-scale residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po District.
The local government made the announcement in a statement released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) this afternoon.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in a significant death toll and extensive damage to seven high-rises within the eight-block residential estate.
As Hong Kong and Macau are two of China’s special administrative regions, they share a unique fraternal bond, long-standing cultural ties, and close economic and trade relations, the statement pointed out.
The local government decided to make the donation to the HKSAR to express the MSAR’s solidarity with the people of Hong Kong as they face difficulties and challenges following the incident, the statement underlined.
According to the statement, Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, on behalf of the local government, has expressed profound condolences regarding the victims of the fire and extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased, the injured, and all others affected by the incident.
Sam called on Macau residents to take positive action, through various means, to support the HKSAR, in order to demonstrate the profound fraternal bond between Hong Kong and Macau.
Sam also expressed full confidence that—thanks to the important guiding principles and care shown by President Xi Jinping, and with the assistance of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee—HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and the government of the HKSAR will unite and lead all sectors of society in working together to help survivors and others affected to overcome this difficult period, resume some normality in daily life as soon as possible, and rebuild their homes.
Death toll stands at 128, status of 200 'unclear'
Meanwhile, according to official data concerning the Tai Po disaster available tonight, the death toll stood at 128, including a firefighter; 79 people were injured, including 12 firefighters; the status of 200 individuals was “unclear”, including 89 bodies that have not been identified, among the 124 bodies discovered at Wang Fuk Court; four people died in hospital, and 56 individuals injured in the inferno remained in hospital.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced today that it has arrested eight people in connection with the blaze.
Three staff members of a renovation company were previously arrested for alleged manslaughter. The company allegedly used non-compliant materials in scaffolding nets and sealed windows with Styrofoam.
According to Hong Kong media reports, eight blocks in the residential estate had been undergoing renovations, including their external walls, since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding, green mesh netting and sheeting, as well as highly flammable Styrofoam.
President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences on Wednesday evening and called for “all-out efforts” to mitigate casualties and losses.
