Scaffolding nets have been removed from 230 private buildings following a government order issued after the Wang Fuk Court fire, with new on-site sampling rules for construction nets expected this week.
The government announced Tuesday that compliance with the removal order was complete. Authorities aim to announce a new arrangement requiring construction nets to be sampled and verified on-site before installation, allowing external wall works to resume as soon as possible.
Financial support for affected families has been increased. A foundation has raised its living subsidy from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000 per household, with 1,617 cases processed so far. For each deceased victim, the foundation is providing HK$200,000 in condolence money and HK$50,000 for funeral expenses, with 106 cases processed.
The Housing Bureau's independent review team has extracted concrete cores from all seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court. Contractors have largely cleared debris found on scaffolding at four Home Ownership Scheme courts and one Tenants Purchase Scheme estate.
Social workers from the Social Welfare Department have contacted over 1,970 affected households, registering more than 4,900 residents for "one family, one social worker" follow-up services. The department also visited residents temporarily housed in Kai Tak transitionary housing, distributing Octopus cards with HK$2,000 value for daily travel.
As of Tuesday morning, 1,431 residents were accommodated in youth hostels, campsites or hotel rooms coordinated by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. Another 2,530 reside in transitionary housing or Hong Kong Housing Society units. A temporary shelter at Tai Po Community Centre remains open.
The Labour Department has inspected 371 construction sites with large scaffolding as of 4pm Tuesday, issuing 189 written warnings, 101 improvement notices and 25 prosecutions concerning fire safety measures and emergency arrangements.
