Post by : Badri Ariffin

Sobs echoed through Hong Kong’s Victoria Park over the weekend as hundreds of migrant domestic workers gathered to mourn loved ones lost in the city’s deadliest fire in more than a hundred years. Many arrived holding candles, clutching photos, and searching for answers about friends who are still missing after the high-rise towers of Wang Fuk Court were engulfed in flames.

At least 10 of the 146 confirmed dead were migrant workers, according to early figures compiled from multiple consulates. Dozens more remain unaccounted for, deepening the anxiety within a community of nearly 370,000 domestic helpers who form the backbone of Hong Kong’s childcare and elderly care workforce.

Sunday—typically the only day off for most of these workers—turned into a day of grief. Prayer circles formed across different districts as women from Indonesia and the Philippines shared the names of missing friends and spoke quietly about frantic calls that went unanswered.

Sudarsih, an Indonesian helper who has spent 15 years in the city, said two of her close friends had not been located since the blaze. “God bless they will be found quickly and safe,” she whispered, standing near a large banner laid on the ground: “Dearly departed ones: highest respect and recognition to the loyalty and bravery of migrant domestic workers.”

Nearby, 38-year-old Dwi Sayekti struggled to speak as she described the fear of more names being added to the casualty list. “I hope this is the first and last tragedy like this,” she said, her voice breaking. “Those who lost their lives in Tai Po deserve to be found and honoured.”

Across the harbour in Central, Filipino workers held their own prayer meet-up beneath the towering skyline. Among the names most often mentioned was that of Rhodora Alcaraz, a young Filipina who had only recently arrived in Hong Kong for work. A widely shared account described how she shielded a three-month-old infant in her care during the fire, holding the baby in her arms until rescuers arrived. She reportedly remains in intensive care.

“She saved one more life,” said fellow worker Michelle Magcale. “It hurts to even think about what she went through.”

The Philippine consulate confirmed the death of worker Maryan Pascual Esteban, leaving behind a 10-year-old son in Rizal. One Filipino national was injured, while seven others remain unverified. Indonesia’s consulate reported nine deaths, one injured, and 42 still unaccounted for among its citizens.

As search efforts continued, the aftermath exposed a new layer of crisis. More than 50 survivors have already sought help from community groups after losing all belongings, including passports and ID cards. Many are unable to sleep, still shaken by the scenes they escaped. Yet some told volunteers they feel compelled to continue helping their employers, who are also grieving.

While Hong Kong authorities announced HK$200,000 in assistance for each deceased victim’s family, migrant organisations said many survivors need immediate support for basic essentials—from clothing to documentation—after losing everything in the fire.

For now, the city waits for the final list of names as rescue teams work through the devastation. But among Hong Kong’s migrant workers, the pain is already deep, and the uncertainty continues to weigh heavily. Their prayers, spoken softly through tears, carried one message: that no one else goes missing, and no family is left without answers.

#Global News #Asia News