Hong Kong’s Hongfa Estate experienced a level 5 fire on November 26, resulting in 159 deaths, as confirmed by officials. Since the incident, nearby Kwong Fuk Rest Area has been a place where citizens gather to mourn. A group of volunteers stationed at the pavilion set up a message area, providing paper and pens for individuals to express their grief.
On December 6, a notice was posted on-site stating that the memorial activities at the location would conclude late on the 7th, prompting a large number of citizens to seize the final opportunity to lay flowers.
In response to media inquiries, the police stated that they had consulted and coordinated with individuals on-site, who agreed to leave voluntarily. Volunteers informed the media that enforcement agencies had communicated with them recently, requesting the closure of the message area after more than a week since the major fire. Several volunteers, having persisted for multiple days, showed signs of fatigue. Following discussions, they also agreed that it was time to conclude the message area.
Therefore, the mourning activities at Kwong Fuk Rest Area will end precisely at 11:59:59 PM on the 7th, after which the pavilion’s belongings will be gradually cleared. Following the cleanup, paper cranes and fresh flowers will be cremated as offerings to the deceased. The message phrases and well-wishes left on-site will be transported to a warehouse for storage.
A notice at the Kwong Fuk Rest Area also reminds citizens not to use excessive, hateful, or provocative language that may incite emotions. Volunteers expressed belief that the public understands and will cooperate.
Outside the Kwong Fuk Rest Area, police officers are stationed primarily to maintain order, without impeding the mourning activities.
On December 6, numerous citizens laid flowers, wrote messages, and folded paper cranes. One Form 6 student mentioned that despite heavy academic workloads, some matters are more important and meaningful than studying.
Many elderly individuals traveled from Lam Tin, Tseung Kwan O, and even farther, some using wheelchairs, solely to pay their respects to the deceased. Volunteers indicated that this reflects Hong Kong’s society as being “filled with love and humanity.”