Residents of Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court returned on Saturday to their fire-ravaged flats to retrieve belongings one last time, amid tearful scenes. Ian Chu cherished the chance to capture a final photo of Tolo Harbour from his flat. The blaze killed 168 people, including 81 in Wang Cheong House.
On Saturday, groups of residents from Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, returned to their fire-damaged flats to collect belongings under police escort. The visits are part of a 15-day programme that began on Monday, allowing each household three hours inside the flat, excluding time on the stairs. Residents carried camping backpacks, suitcases and nylon bags, with some wearing protective helmets.
Ian Chu, who lived in Wang Cheong House where 81 people died—nearly half of the total 168 fatalities—captured one last image of the sea from his home facing Tolo Harbour. "Since the renovations I have not seen the ocean, the sunlight … so I just tried to take as many photos as I could while I had the chance," he told reporters, showing the picture.
All eight blocks at the estate had been under renovation since the summer of 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and mesh. Authorities found that substandard netting used by the contractor contributed to the fire's rapid spread. Only Wang Chi House was untouched by the blaze.
The returns marked tearful reunions with salvaged items as residents prepare to leave the site for good.
