Hong Kong authorities have announced a one-time HK$100,000 subsidy for each owner affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire to ease financial strains. The support fund has reached HK$3.4 billion, comprising government injection and public donations. The blaze killed at least 160 people and damaged seven of eight blocks.
On November 26, 2025, a deadly fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, killing at least 160 people, leaving six missing, damaging seven of eight blocks, and displacing nearly 5,000 residents. In response, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government established the Wang Fuk Court Support Fund on November 27 with an initial HK$300 million injection. By Wednesday, the fund had received HK$3.1 billion in donations, totaling HK$3.4 billion from over 263,000 contributions, including 170 donations of at least HK$5 million each, making up more than half of public donations.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Warner Cheuk Wing-hing announced on Wednesday that each owner of fire-hit units will receive a one-time HK$100,000 subsidy, distributed proportionally among multiple owners if applicable. Approved at a steering committee meeting that day, the subsidy addresses rental income losses and cash flow issues from prior renovations. Committed subsidies total about HK$460 million, with 1,617 cases already receiving HK$100,000 living allowances.
The fund also provides HK$200,000 solidarity tokens and HK$50,000 funeral costs to families of each deceased victim, processing 106 cases to date; HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 aid to 64 injured individuals; and one-off HK$20,000 payments to 63 foreign domestic helpers, 220 students, and 110 workers. The Inland Revenue Department will offer special arrangements for donors, allowing those contributing HK$50,000 or less to claim tax deductions with record retention; receipts begin processing next week.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) proposed five relief measures, including government buy-back of ruined homes and community redevelopment, emphasizing tailored options for residents' needs. The party's lawmakers and councillors submitted these to Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun on Wednesday. At nearby Tai Po Baptist Public School, about 600 pupils have adapted well to classes at City University and the Education University of Hong Kong, with principal Siu Ting noting clearer future goals among students. Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel is selling HK$160 panda keychains to support Operation Santa Claus, aiding fire survivors and charities, and cancelled its Christmas tree lighting as a mark of respect.
