Flat owners affected by Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades will each receive HK$100,000 (US$12,850) from authorities, a senior government official has said, while announcing that funds raised for survivors have reached HK$3.4 billion.
Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said on Wednesday that many owners had lost rental income when seven out of the eight blocks at Wang Fuk Court were ruined in the fire last month that killed at least 160 people.
“During our visits to those affected, we learned that some owners relied on income from renting out their flats to cover their daily expenses, so the fire caused a loss in income for them,” he said.
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“There are also owners who previously invested capital in renovations and repairs, and so they suffered losses and cash flow pressure too.”
Cheuk, who is supervising the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, said 257,000 of the individual donations amounted to less than HK$10,000. Those who donated HK$50,000 or below were eligible for tax incentives, he added.
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The confirmed death toll from last month’s fire rose to 160 by Tuesday. Six people remain missing.