The death toll from the devastating blaze remained at 128, but 150 people were still unaccounted for.
“For some of the cases, the informants only provided very limited or insufficient information. For example, they only provided the nickname [of the victim], or they just guessed that their friend might be living there,” said chief superintendent Tsang Shuk-yin from the force’s casualty enquiry unit.
“We are still reconnecting with these informants to try to get more information.”
More than 600 officers from the disaster victims identification unit went through Wang Yan House and Wang Tao House where the fires were first put out. No bodies were found, although three cats and a turtle were rescued.
On support for those affected, the government has set up a centralised resource centre to handle donated goods as officials urged people to stop offering supplies for the time being.
“The resources we have now are abundant and sufficient. We would suggest members of the public to stop donations temporarily, so that nothing goes to waste. To organise the goods received, we have set up a central resource centre at Tai Po Community Centre,” said Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk.
Public donations to the government’s relief fund have reached HK$800 million, on top of the HK$300 million from the administration, bringing the total to HK$1.1 billion.
Home and youth affairs chief Alice Mak confirmed that over 920 households had received HK$10,000 in emergency cash as of Saturday afternoon.
She said the financial support, including a living allowance of HK$50,000, is for those living at Wang Fuk Court at the time of the blaze, adding that authorities would handle any false claims made.
The minister also called on the public not to believe rumours circulating online that home affairs authorities or care team members have been impolite to those staying at temporary shelters.
