Hong Kong officials observe silence and fly flags at half-mast to mourn the 128 victims of the Tai Po district residential building fire.
HONG KONG: The Hong Kong government and Chinese national flags were flown at half-mast on Saturday as officials mourned victims of a residential building fire.
Chief Executive John Lee led principal officials and civil servants in a three-minute silence at the government headquarters.
The memorial service began at 8.00 am to honour those who died in the Tai Po district blaze.
The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong also observed the silence and lowered its flags.
The Office for Safeguarding National Security and the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong participated in the tribute.
The Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army hoisted flags at half-mast on Saturday morning.
Flags at all government buildings and facilities will remain at half-mast from Saturday to Monday.
Government officials will not attend any non-essential public activities during this mourning period.
All government-organised or funded entertainment and celebration activities are cancelled or postponed.
Condolence stations will be set up in all 18 districts of the city for the public to pay respects.
Members of the public can sign condolence books at these stations to honour the victims.
The death toll from Wednesday afternoon’s fire at Wang Fuk Court reached 128 by Friday.
The fire broke out at the Tai Po residential complex, resulting in one of Hong Kong’s deadliest blazes. – Bernama-Xinhua
