10 foreign domestic helpers killed, 3 injured in Hong Kong residential fire: HKSAR govt

HONG KONG -- Secretary for Labor and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Chris Sun said on Tuesday that 10 foreign domestic helpers were killed and three others were injured in a major residential fire that broke out on Nov 26 in Tai Po.

Sun told a press briefing that each of the foreign domestic helpers who died in the fire will receive about HK$800,000 in compensation, including statutory compensation and one-off assistance. Those injured will receive a one-off financial assistance of either HK$50,000 or HK$100,000. Foreign domestic workers who survived the fire will receive HK$20,000 as condolence money.

At the same press briefing, Secretary for Migrant Workers of the Philippines Hans Leo J. Cacdac expressed his gratitude to the HKSAR government for the assistance provided, including financial aid, temporary shelter, and psychological counseling, to the foreign domestic helpers.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire has claimed 156 lives, with around 30 people still unaccounted for, authorities said.