Authorities in Hong Kong and the Philippines are continuing search operations for one overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who remains unaccounted for following a devastating high-rise fire that engulfed multiple buildings on November 26. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed the ongoing efforts to locate the missing individual, whose precise whereabouts at the time of the incident remain undetermined.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac stated that investigators are working to establish whether the Filipina national was present within any of the eight affected structures when the massive blaze erupted. “That is the report. But we don’t know for sure about her exact whereabouts. So the search continues. I don’t want to speculate as to where she is exactly,” Cacdac told ABS-CBN News. The DMW has established communication with the missing worker’s family in the Philippines to provide support and updates.
Official reports from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) indicate that at least 23 overseas Filipino workers were affected by the catastrophic incident, which resulted in numerous fatalities. One hospitalized OFW is reported to be in stable condition after being rescued alongside her employer and an infant.
Beyond the immediate physical dangers, the fire has created significant administrative challenges for survivors. OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan revealed that many affected workers lost crucial documentation, including passports and employment contracts, in the blaze. In response, DMW officials have committed to providing replacement contract copies and coordinating with Hong Kong authorities to resolve documentation issues. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong will facilitate the restoration of travel documents.
Secretary Cacdac assured that there would be no employment barriers for affected workers wishing to continue their positions in Hong Kong once their documentation is restored. Emergency assistance, including food packs and support services, has been distributed to victims, while dedicated teams are contacting families in the Philippines who have lost communication with relatives in Hong Kong.