We are devastated by the developing news of the level-five fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Across Europe, Hongkongers share the grief felt by our community worldwide.

At this moment, the fire has claimed dozens of lives, rendered hundreds missing, and uprooted thousands losing homes. Our thoughts are with everyone affected, especially families mourning losses and those displaced.

Despite the exceedingly expensive renovation costs contributed by the apartment owners, lapses in safety precautions ended up costing so many lives. We urge the relevant authorities to conduct a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation into the cause of the fire, so as to ensure accountability and prevent similar disasters in the future.

We stand with our fellow Hongkongers back home. We all share the pain together. We, like the people in Hong Kong, are also calling for truth, justice, and accountability.