Tangerang, Banten. Indonesia is repatriating the remains of three women killed in a deadly apartment fire in Hong Kong, with their bodies scheduled to arrive at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Tuesday, as the government continues to bring home victims of one of the city’s deadliest residential blazes in recent years.

The three Indonesian nationals were among at least nine Indonesians who died when a fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po district in late November, killing about 160 people overall, according to Indonesian authorities.

The repatriation of the bodies has been fully facilitated by the Indonesian government in coordination with the Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong and local authorities. All three victims are women from Central Java and were flown from Hong Kong on separate Cathay Pacific flights.

The first body, identified as Yasmiati, arrived in Jakarta at 1:20 p.m. local time aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX777. Yasmiati was a resident of Godong district in Central Java. The second victim, Siti Fatonah, from Suruh district in Semarang regency, was scheduled to arrive at 7:45 p.m. on flight CX719. The third victim, Darwati, from Majeneng district in Cilacap regency, was expected to land at 11:00 p.m. on flight CX797.

Upon arrival, the remains will be handed over to their families before being transported to their hometowns for burial in accordance with local customs and religious practices.

The Indonesian government expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and said it would continue to provide assistance throughout the repatriation process. Officials said consular staff had been in close contact with families since early December to complete administrative requirements and coordinate the return of the remains.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said it is covering the full cost of repatriating eight of the nine Indonesian victims. One victim’s return is being funded by the employer, the ministry said in a statement.

One of the victims, identified only by the initial N, was repatriated earlier and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on Dec. 21. N’s remains were subsequently transported to Indramayu, West Java, where the victim’s family lives.

The remaining victims are expected to arrive in Indonesia between Dec. 23 and Dec. 25, officials said. The victims originated from several regions across Java, reflecting the large number of Indonesians working in Hong Kong, particularly in the domestic and service sectors.

The fire at Wang Fuk Court has raised concerns in Hong Kong over building safety and emergency preparedness in densely populated residential complexes. 

Add as a preferred source on Google +