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Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (November 27) that residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po may visit any Registration of Persons Office during office hours for the replacement of their Hong Kong identity card without an appointment. For the addresses and office hours of the offices, please refer to Annex I.
 
     Similarly, affected residents who need to replace their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region travel documents may visit Immigration Headquarters or any Immigration Branch Office during office hours without an appointment. For the addresses and office hours of the offices, please refer to Annex II.
 
     For more details about the arrangements, please visit the ImmD website (www.immd.gov.hk). For enquiries, please contact the ImmD by email (enquiry@immd.gov.hk) or by the enquiry hotline (2824 6111).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     Police today (November 27) arrested three men for manslaughter. They were in suspected connection with a No. 5 alarm fire in Tai Po.

     At about 2.50pm yesterday (November 26), Police received multiple reports that a fire broke out at the scaffolding of a housing estate on Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai. The fire spread rapidly to other blocks in the estate and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

     Upon initial investigation, it was suspected that the protective nets, tarpaulins and plastic sheets used for the maintenance works may not have been up to fire safety standards. It was also revealed that foam boards were found installed to the windows of the buildings concerned.

     Officers today arrested three men in charge of a construction company, aged 52 to 68, for manslaughter in Ngau Tau Kok, Tai Po and Wong Tai Sin respectively. The arrestees are being detained for further enquiries.

      Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North is under way.

      Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 5566 0087.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) has set up medical stations at the temporary shelters that were opened in response to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to give immediate medical and pharmaceutical support to residents in need.

The medical stations provide medical assistance from 8am to 8pm daily, covering basic medical assessment and a referral service, treatment of mild injuries, prescribing drugs including necessary medication refills based on medical history, as well as psychological support to assist in non-emergency medical needs.

Residents with medical needs can seek assistance from healthcare personnel at the medical stations.

Meanwhile, the 24-hour “18111 – Mental Health Support Hotline” has stepped up its manpower to assist those who need emotional support due to the blaze.

The Department of Health and the Hospital Authority earlier deployed medical support teams to temporary shelters to offer preliminary medical assessment and support for residents.

To continuously provide medical care for the affected residents, the PHC Commission co-ordinated professionals from the public and private medical sectors, including over 250 doctors and 250 healthcare professionals, to participate in setting up the medical stations.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To promote universal design concepts for assistive devices and enhance their user-friendliness, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, organized the “Universal Design Competition for Assistive Devices for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities” and the “Campaign on User-Friendly Commercial Assistive Devices for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.” The awards ceremony was held on November 18 and concluded successfully. The research, development, and innovative designs presented by participants have injected new momentum and creativity into the development of Taiwan’s assistive device industry.

Universal Design Competition: Fostering Innovative and Inclusive Solutions
The Universal Design Competition highlights creativity and ingenuity, encouraging designs that feature universal accessibility with no barriers between different user groups. This year, the competition received enthusiastic participation from across sectors, with a total of 132 submissions. Following rigorous professional evaluation, the jury selected Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, along with five Merit Awards and twelve Finalists.

Gold Award: A uniquely designed box lid that enables individuals with intellectual disabilities to independently complete box-sealing tasks.

Silver: A modular system that allows wheelchair users to revisit and enjoy dancing activities they once loved.

Bronze Award: An externally powered mobility assistive device that helps reduce the caregiving burden for personnel assisting individuals with physical disabilities.

Campaign on User-Friendly Commercial Assistive Devices: Highlighting Practical Everyday Applications
The “Campaign on User-Friendly Commercial Assistive Devices” emphasizes the practicality and functionality of commercially available products. This year, 23 commercial products participated, and 10 outstanding products were selected. These awards-winning products support greater autonomy and convenience for older adults, persons with mobility impairments, and their caregivers. The campaign also aims to encourage the industry to incorporate universal design principles, enhance the use of innovative technologies, and demonstrate their commitment to creating a more inclusive environment.

Meeting the Needs of a Super-Aged Society: Advancing Toward a Truly Barrier-Free Future
BSMI further noted that Taiwan has entered a super-aged society, and demand for assistive products is expected to continue increasing. Through these design competitions and campaigns, BSMI aims to enhance the universality and user-friendliness of assistive products, thereby improving users’ quality of life and fostering a truly barrier-free living environment. BSMI will continue to support related matchmaking and exhibition activities, in hopes that more award-winning works will successfully enter the market.

For the full list of award-winning works and selected user-friendly products, please visit: https://reurl.cc/z67Dde.

Responsible Division: Inspection Technology Division
Contact Person: Yang, Li-Yuan, Deputy Director
Tel. (O): +886-2343-1700#3311
Email: ly.yang@bsmi.gov.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government announced that Tai Po District Office has opened an additional temporary shelter today for people in need in the wake of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

The newly added temporary shelter is located at the “Children & Youth Services Jockey Club Tai Po Integrated Children & Youth Services Centre Unit” at Kwong Yan House, Kwong Fuk Estate.

So far, more than 500 residents are staying at temporary shelters that have opened in the district owing to the blaze.

Additionally, interdepartmental help desks have been set up at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (hotline: 2689 2926/2658 4040), Prince of Wales Hospital (hotline: 3505 1555), and North District Hospital (hotline: 2683 7567).

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Immigration Department today announced that residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po may visit any Registration of Persons Office during office hours for the replacement of their Hong Kong identity card without an appointment.

Affected residents who need to replace their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region travel documents may visit Immigration Headquarters or any Immigration Branch Office during office hours without an appointment.

Send an email or call 2824 6111 for enquiries.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Police today arrested three men in-charge of a construction company, for manslaughter in relation the No. 5 alarm fire in Tai Po yesterday.

At about 2.50pm yesterday, Police received reports saying that a fire broke out at a housing estate on Tai Po Road – Yuen Chau Tsai. The fire on some scaffolding spread rapidly to other blocks in the estate and resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

Upon initial investigation, it was suspected that the protective nets, tarpaulins and plastic sheets used for the maintenance works may not have been up to fire safety standards. Foam boards were also found installed to the windows of the buildings.

The three men, aged 52 to 68, were arrested in Ngau Tau Kok, Tai Po and Wong Tai Sin today. They are being detained for further enquiries. The New Territories North Regional Crime Unit is carrying out an investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to offer is urged to call the investigating officers at 5566 0087.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Social Welfare Department said today it is making all-out efforts to allocate and deploy manpower and resources to provide appropriate support to Tai Po residents.

The department expressed deep sorrow and sadness over the No. 5 alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po yesterday.

It has deployed social workers, clinical psychologists and professional support teams to all temporary shelters and interdepartmental help desks at hospitals to provide assistance based on the welfare needs of affected residents.

Public hospitals’ medical social workers are also providing emotional support to the injured and their relatives.

Residents in need are urged to seek assistance from social workers or professionals at the temporary shelters.

Due to the fire and its disruption to traffic in the district, multiple secondary schools and primary schools in Tai Po suspended classes today. The department has requested that all integrated children and youth services centres and youth centres in Tai Po remain open for the whole day to provide care services to parents who are unable to take care of their children.