A Hong Kong district officer has apologised for her attire at the funeral of firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who died battling a blaze in Tai Po. The choice drew online criticism for lacking respect. This follows Hong Kong's worst fire in decades, which killed at least 161 people.
The Home Affairs Department posted on social media on Saturday, stating that Tai Po district officer Eunice Chan Hau-man and her team have been working hard on the aftermath following Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades, which killed at least 161 people. At the official funeral for firefighter Ho Wai-ho held at Universal Funeral Parlour on Friday, Chan's attire during the subsequent roadside ceremony drew widespread online criticism for showing a lack of respect and common sense.
The statement said: “However, the choice of clothing at yesterday’s road ceremony attracted everyone’s attention. The Tai Po district officer sincerely apologised.” Chan expressed her highest respect and deep condolences to Ho Wai-ho, who died heroically in the line of duty, and pledged to continue handling the fire's aftermath well.
The funeral, organised by the Fire Services Department, was attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other senior officials. The mood was sombre as family, friends, colleagues, and officials bid farewell to the firefighter from Sha Tin Fire Station. Ho died battling the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Criticism of Chan's outfit stemmed from photos circulating online from the roadside procession after the closed-door ceremony.
