HONG KONG – Companies are pleding funds and material support in the aftermath of a devasting fire in Hong Kong, which has left at least 80 people dead and hundreds still missing.
According to media reports, a fire was reported just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday at a residential complex in Tai Po, in the city’s northern New Territories district that is close to Shenzhen and the boundary with mainland China.
The blaze, which started on external scaffolding wrapped in netting, quickly spread to neighboring high rises. Hundreds of firefighters brought the blaze under control on Thursday. Rescue efforts are underway but thousands of residents have been displaced by what is considered the city’s deadliest fire in decades.
In the aftermath, Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Group, the jewelry and real estate conglomerated controlled by the Cheng family, pledged 20 million Hong Kong dollars, or $2.6 million, for emergency assistance including accommodation, food and clothing for those affected.
Hang Lung Properties and parent Hang Lung Group, which counts the upscale Plaza 66 mall in Shanghai in its expansive commercial and residential real estate portfolio, announced $10 million Hong Kong dollars in financial aid and $1 million Hong Kong dollars in “transitional accomodation.”
Sportswear giant Anta Sports has announced a donation of 30 million Hong Kong dollars, or around $3.9 million, in funds and material supplies such as winter gear to support residents displaced by the fire.
361 Degrees, another major Chinese sportswear company, said it would donate 15 million Hong Kong dollars “in cash and equipment to support rescue and post-disaster reconstruction efforts” following the fire.
Others contributing to relief funds and support include e-commerce giant Alibaba, fintech company Ant and the foundation of both companies’ founder Jack Ma as well as telecom operator China Mobile and TikTok’s parent company ByteDance.
The government of the Hong Kong special administrative region is setting up a fund of 300 million Hong Kong dollars, or $38.6 million, to help residents.
Following the fire’s devastating toll, the city has been plunged in mourning, with flags on public buildings to be flown at half-mast and events such as a light show on the harbor cancelled.
Meanwhile, the MAMA Awards, a major South Korean music awards ceremony considered the Oscars of K-pop and usually a high-octane event with blowout concerts, will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Kai Tak Stadium as scheduled.
Groups such as Stray Kids, Enhypen and Aespa are expected to perform.
CJ ENM, the South Korean entertainment company that organizes the event, confirmed Thursday the ceremony would go ahead with a modified program that will include messages of solidarity with the city and a moment in homage to victims of the blaze.
It also pledged a donation to support relief efforts and those affected.
– With contributions from Denni Hu
