23 OFWs Affected in Hong Kong Fire, Philippine Gov't Deploys Aid

Philippine Government Rushes Aid to OFWs After Devastating Hong Kong Fire

A serious fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po District on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, has impacted a number of overseas Filipino workers. The Philippine government, through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), has immediately mobilized to provide comprehensive assistance to those affected.

Immediate Government Response and Assistance

In a Bagong Pilipinas interview on Friday, November 29, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan confirmed that 22 OFWs received initial assistance after being displaced by the blaze. Government teams from the Philippine Consulate General, the Migrant Workers Office (MWO), and OWWA were swiftly deployed to the shelters established by Hong Kong authorities where the affected Filipinos were temporarily housed.

Caunan emphasized that the team would return to provide further support. She also addressed a separate, viral case involving another Filipina who was trapped with her employer and the employer's baby. All three were successfully rescued and are currently hospitalized, with the Filipina in stable condition after inhaling carbon monoxide and expected to recover within three to five days.

Ongoing Verification and Support for Families

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong provided a broader update, confirming that 58 Filipinos are safe and accounted for, while one individual remains missing. They are also in the process of verifying the status of 91 other Filipinos registered at Wang Fuk Court, noting that some may have changed employers, relocated, or returned to the Philippines before the fire.

To keep families in the Philippines informed, 24/7 emergency hotlines have been activated. OWWA and the Department of Migrant Workers are ensuring that concerned relatives have direct channels for updates.

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