HONG KONG FIRE. Rescue personnel are seen busy at the site of a fire at a residential building in Hong Kong's Kowloon district on Wednesday (April 10, 2024). The DMW said two Filipinos were injured in the fire. (Xinhua photo)
MANILA – Two Filipinos who were among the casualties from Wednesday's fire in Hong Kong are now undergoing treatment, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Thursday.
In an advisory, the agency said its Migrant Workers Office in Hong Kong (MWO-HK) continues to monitor the situation.
“The latest victim is an elderly Filipina, now a permanent resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK-SAR). She was treated for smoke inhalation. She is receiving treatment at a local hospital. Due to her age, doctors decided to observe her condition further,” the DMW said.
The first reported injured Filipino, meanwhile, sustained minor injuries from splinters after breaking through a glass door to avoid smoke inhalation.
He remains at the Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment of his wounds.
The DMW said the first victim just recently acquired permanent residency status in Hong Kong but the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) records show that he remains an active member.
Local media reported that at least five were killed while 30 were injured in the fire that broke out on the second floor of the New Lucky House residential building in Kowloon district.
The fire services department said it found some fire doors were broken, which it said could be one of the reasons there was heavy smoke.
An inter-departmental task force will investigate the cause of the fire.
The DMW meanwhile said its MWO-HK and the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong (PCG-HK) have met with the two injured Filipinos, and are now working together to help them. (PNA)
