The families of four Hong Kong teenagers who were killed in a Shenzhen nightclub fire and subsequent stampede on Saturday night claimed the bodies yesterday and decided to hold cremation services together.

The blaze at the nightclub, which authorities said was illegally operating without proper licences, took the lives of 43 people and injured 88. Many of the victims died from suffocation.

The blaze was caused by a fireworks show on stage that set the ceiling on fire, spreading it throughout the crowded hall.

The Hong Kong youths went to the Wuwang Club (popularly known as the "King of the Dancers Club") in Shenzhen on Saturday to celebrate the 18th birthday of Choi Wai-tat.

Choi perished along with three of his friends - Lo Ka-keung, Liu Pun-yuen and Leung Chun-yin. Another friend, Cheng Sze-lap, was the only survivor from the group. Aged between 18 and 20, they were students of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (HKIVE).

The HKIVE said it would offer counseling to the deceased students' classmates.

The families of the four deceased friends claimed the bodies at a funeral parlor in Buji, Shenzhen, yesterday.

Inland Consultation Services Centre, under the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU), has been assisting the families since Sunday morning.

The center's assistant director, Zhu Ke, said the families were heartbroken.

"As the four youngsters are good friends, their families have reached the consensus of cremating them together and holding a joint funeral in Shenzhen, and the deceased will be buried in Hong Kong later," Zhu said.

None of the services' dates had been set as of yesterday. The HKFTU will assist the families in the ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Zhu said the HKFTU could not reach the family of a fifth deceased Hongkonger, 41-year-old Lo Chi-wah, who is believed to have gone to the nightclub by himself after getting off work in Shenzhen.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO) has taken follow-up actions after the fire.

"We will continue to keep close liaison with family members of the deceased and the injured person to follow up their requests and provide assistance as necessary," GDETO Deputy Director Alice Choi said.

She added the SAR government would also render assistance to families of both the killed and injured, including handling and transportation of the bodies.

As for the sole Hong Kong survivor, Cheng, Xinhua reported that he has basically recovered from smoke inhalation and was discharged yesterday.

However, he felt great sorrow at losing four friends, particularly as the night should have been about celebration.

Cheng was trampled underfoot and fell unconscious in the fire. He regained consciousness after about two hours.

(HK Edition 09/23/2008 page1)