An industrial workers’ union has called on the government to return items stolen from Wang Fuk Court to their rightful owners following a suspected theft of jewelery at the fire-hit property.
Chau Sze-kit, chairman of the Hong Kong General Union of Construction Workers, Folie on RTHK the Tuesday morning after three industrial workers were arrested last week allegedly stole seven pieces of jewelery from a flat in Wang Tai House, the block with the highest number of victims.
Chau suggested that government social workers could check with residents of Wang Fuk Court what possessions they had left in their flats, and authorities could return the belongings to residents while the reinforcement work continues.
Wang Fuk Court, a government-subsidized housing estate in Tai Po, is undergoing building reinforcement works ahead of government plans to allow residents to return to their homes to get the items.
According to the police, the suspects were among the industrial workers carrying out the reinforcement works.
However, Wang Fuk Court resident Jason Kong disagreed. He told HKFP by phone on Tuesday that he would prefer his belongings not to be documented and collected by the police or any government staff.
“What if something is missing? Who would be responsible?” Kong said.
He asked the authorities to ensure that the reinforcement works are completed as soon as possible so that the residents can return to their homes soon.
After the arrests, the police announced that they will strengthen security checks starting on Monday.
Under the new measures, workers must store their valuables – such as watches and jewelry – in lockers before entering Wang Fuk Court, and they will not be allowed to bring more than HK$500 in cash.
Upon departure, workers will undergo a body search using metal detectors.
The Wang Fuk Court fire broke out in late November, engulfing seven of the estate’s eight blocks and killing 168 people. It was Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades.
