MANILA — The Philippine government is verifying reports that Filipino domestic workers may be among those trapped in the deadly high-rise blaze in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District, as the death toll continues to rise in what local authorities have described as one of the territory’s worst fires in recent years.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday it has no confirmed Filipino casualties so far, but noted that the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong had received “unverified information that some Filipino domestic workers may be trapped inside the buildings.”
The Consulate immediately relayed the information to Hong Kong authorities, the DFA said.
“Efforts by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department to contain the fire are still ongoing,” the DFA added. “Due to the scale and intensity of the fire, it will take time before the extent of the damage and number and nationality of the victims are fully determined.”
The blaze — a Level 5 fire that tore through seven of eight residential towers in a Tai Po complex — erupted shortly after 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday and intensified rapidly due to flammable foam materials and bamboo scaffolding surrounding the structures.
Local media reported that firefighters managed to place four towers under control after more than 10 hours of operations.
At least 44 people have been confirmed dead, while 279 individuals remain missing as of late Thursday.
The Consulate General said it continues to coordinate with the Hong Kong Police Force and stands ready to assist any affected Filipino.
Hong Kong authorities have arrested three men from a construction firm working on the compound’s maintenance on suspicion of manslaughter, as investigations into the cause of the inferno proceed./PN
