Tai Po fire donation crypto world rushes to the top! Hong Kong "Wong Fuk Court" 94 dead, 37 million love support

A major fire broke out in the high-rise residential “Wong Fuk Court” in Tai Po District, New Territories, Hong Kong on November 26. As of the 28th, the incident has resulted in 94 fatalities, including one firefighter, and 76 injuries. The disaster has touched the hearts of the entire nation, and the encryption industry was among the first to respond with aid, becoming one of the first industries to make large-scale donations. Donations from the crypto world for the Tai Po fire exceeded 37 million HKD, with large enterprises from mainland China and Hong Kong following closely behind, and the total public donations from all sectors of society exceeding 200 million HKD.

Hung Fook Yuen Fire 94 Dead Becomes Hong Kong's Most Severe Disaster in Recent Years

(Source: Bloomberg)

A major fire broke out in the residential building “Wong Fuk Court” in Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong on the 26th, resulting in serious casualties. According to a report by Hong Kong media Hong Kong 01, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department stated that as of 7 a.m. on the 28th, the incident has resulted in 94 fatalities, including one firefighter; there are also 76 injured, including 11 firefighters. Currently, 12 people are in critical condition, 28 are serious, 16 are stable, and another 22 have been discharged from the hospital. This is the most severe building fire in Hong Kong in recent years, with the death toll exceeding that of several historic disasters.

Earlier reports indicated that there was another fire at the scene, with obvious flames erupting from another part of the Hongdao Pavilion. Orange-red tongues of fire were leaping from the window frames, and thick smoke was continuously billowing out. Firefighters set up a ladder to attempt to approach the source of the fire and spray water to extinguish it, but the flames were burning increasingly fiercely and spread to other areas inside the building. This rekindling phenomenon demonstrates the severity of the fire and the difficulty of firefighting, suggesting that the fire protection structure of the old building may have systematic defects.

The Deputy Director of the Fire Services Department, Chan Hing-yung, updated the latest progress at 1 a.m., stating that the overall firefighting work has been largely completed. Currently, 4 units are still actively extinguishing hotspots, and water is being sprayed on other units in the 7 buildings to cool down and prevent re-ignition. Rescue operations are being fully advanced, with 25 assistance cases still pending. The fire department will also carry out demolition on all units in the 7 buildings, forcibly breaking open door locks or panels to quickly enter rooms for searching and rescue, ensuring that no one is trapped. This related action is expected to be completed before 9 a.m.

Blasting rescue is an emergency measure in extreme situations, indicating that the fire department is concerned that there are still residents trapped or unable to escape on their own. This large-scale forced entry operation is not common in the history of fire rescue in Hong Kong, highlighting the severity of this disaster and the difficulty of the rescue. The comprehensive blasting search and rescue of 7 buildings means that hundreds of units need to be checked one by one, with a massive workload and urgent time constraints.

The encryption industry has taken the lead in donating over 37 million HKD to support

The disaster has touched the hearts of the entire nation, and the encryption industry has taken the lead in responding with aid. Many leading institutions and industry leaders quickly gathered their compassionate efforts, becoming one of the first industries to make large-scale donations, demonstrating their sense of responsibility through concrete actions. Large enterprises and public welfare organizations from the mainland and Hong Kong followed suit, with love and support from all sectors continuing to converge, providing a solid backing for the relief and reconstruction of the affected compatriots.

Avenir Group and its charitable foundation donated 10 million HKD, becoming one of the largest single donations for the Tai Po fire in the crypto world. This Hong Kong-based crypto investment institution initiated the donation process immediately after the disaster, reflecting the local businesses' sense of social responsibility. Nano Labs founder Jack Kong, BitMart founder Sheldon, and ME Group CEO Jessica Yang jointly donated 1 million HKD (in digital currency form), which is a relatively innovative form of donation in Hong Kong's disaster relief efforts, showing that the crypto world is exploring more efficient charitable donation models.

Currently, the crypto world has confirmed donations exceeding 37 million Hong Kong dollars, and more contributions from the industry are still being counted and announced. This figure was achieved in less than 48 hours after the disaster occurred, demonstrating the mobilization speed and cohesion of the encryption industry. Compared to other industries, the response speed of the crypto community is particularly remarkable, which may be related to the decentralized nature of the industry and the global network, allowing for quicker information dissemination and decision-making.

Encryption Industry Tai Po Fire Donation List

Avenir Group: 10 million HKD (largest single donation in the crypto world)

Jack Kong + Sheldon + Jessica Yang: 1 million HKD digital currency

CEX, Institutions and Individuals: Continuous statistics are being compiled, with a total exceeding 37 million HKD.

Donation Methods: Fiat and digital currencies run in parallel, providing multiple donation channels.

The rapid response of the encryption industry has sparked a wave of compassion, with many large enterprises and foundations in mainland China and Hong Kong generously offering support to provide strong assistance for the resettlement, medical aid, and post-disaster reconstruction of affected residents.

Donations from all sectors exceed 200 million HKD and continue to gather

The disclosed donation details show that the Hong Kong Jockey Club provided emergency assistance of 100 million HKD, making it the largest single donation from an organization. As one of the largest charitable organizations in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has played a core role in all major disasters, and this rapid allocation of 100 million HKD provides a solid financial foundation for disaster relief efforts.

The Hong Kong Community Chest allocated HKD 50 million for immediate relief. The Jack Ma Foundation, Alibaba Group, and Ant Group collectively donated HKD 30 million, demonstrating the concern of mainland technology giants for the disaster in Hong Kong. The Li Ka Shing Foundation donated HKD 30 million, and the donation from this Hong Kong tycoon carries symbolic significance, representing the responsibility of the Hong Kong business community towards local disasters.

Tencent Charity Foundation, Xiaomi Charity Foundation, and BYD Group each donated 10 million HKD, while XPeng Motors donated 5 million HKD. The participation of these mainland technology and manufacturing giants shows that the donations for the Tai Po fire have transcended regional boundaries, becoming a manifestation of mutual support between compatriots from both places.

Comprehensive statistics show that the total amount of public donations from all sectors of society has exceeded HKD 200 million and is still on the rise. This figure was reached within 48 hours after the disaster occurred, reflecting the cohesion of Hong Kong society and the people from both regions. However, compared to the loss of 94 lives and the shattering of hundreds of families, no amount of money can compensate for the losses. The significance of these donations lies more in providing practical support for the reconstruction of the lives of affected families and psychological solace.

Public Donation Channels and Rational Disaster Relief Appeals

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has activated an emergency disaster relief mechanism, establishing a hotline for assistance and channels for financial aid. Several charitable organizations and local communities have also initiated fundraising and support actions to provide temporary housing, living supplies, and psychological assistance to affected families. The government's rapid response has ensured the orderly progress of disaster relief efforts, avoiding chaos and resource waste.

We call on more social forces to continue paying attention to the disaster situation. Whether it is through donations of money or goods, volunteer services, or spreading legitimate donation channels, all of these will bring warmth and hope to our affected compatriots. However, alongside the heightened enthusiasm for donations, we must also be vigilant against potential fraud. After each major disaster, there are always cases of fraud under the guise of charity. The public should make donations through officially certified channels to avoid the misappropriation of funds by criminals.

Media and the public should maintain rational attention, not only focusing on immediate disaster relief but also continuously paying attention to the subsequent placement, psychological support, and community reconstruction of affected residents. Disaster relief is not only about immediate material and financial assistance but also requires long-term psychological counseling, employment support, and community rebuilding. Many affected families have lost their loved ones and homes; they need not only short-term placement but also continuous attention and support from society to help them rebuild their lives.

With the continuous investment from the encryption industry, traditional enterprises, and various social sectors, the rescue and resettlement work for the Hongfu Garden fire is steadily progressing. Every donation and every volunteer service is injecting momentum into the post-disaster reconstruction. The rapid response and generous donations from the encryption industry in the recent donation for the Tai Po fire have changed some public perceptions of the crypto world, showcasing the social responsibility and humanistic care of this emerging industry.

May the deceased rest in peace, and may the injured recover soon. May all sectors of society join hands to provide more support to the affected families, and may Hong Kong restore peace and order soon.