Latest news with #LokWahNorthEstate
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
Can neighbours, security guards do more to help Hong Kong single families in need?
Neighbours, security guards and kindergartens can play a bigger role to help look out for vulnerable single-parent families in Hong Kong amid restricted information sharing under a privacy law, observers have said, after the recent discovery of a three-year-old girl alone at home with her mother's dead body. A three-year-old child was found alone in a flat alongside her mother's body in Ping Wah House, Lok Wah North Estate, in Kwun Tong. Photo: Google Map A lawmaker on Monday also explained that families with special needs could respond better to volunteers in similar circumstances, a day after a welfare official pledged to explore expanding the definition of a 'high-risk carer' The toddler was found on Friday crying alone in a public flat in Kwun Tong, next to the body of her 40-year-old mother, who was suspected to have died days earlier. 'In this incident, neighbours played a pivotal role. After all, compared to organisations, people have more regular contact with one another, [whether it's] bumping into each other or exchanging simple greetings,' Kwun Tong district councillor Lee Ka-hang said on a radio programme on Monday. 'If neighbours hear children repeatedly crying, they can tell the Housing Department about their observations so everyone can be more alert,' he said, adding that the information neighbours shared could be very helpful in supporting families in need. 'When security guards make their rounds in the building, they can also pay attention to what arguments are about, if they hear any, and whether they are persistent. Would these be worth taking note of, with the information shared with relevant organisations? These are ways that could be helpful to the matter,' he noted. Speaking on the same radio show, lawmaker Bill Tang Ka-piu of the Federation of Trade Unions said special care should be given to single-parent families, as it was very challenging looking after young children, especially those still in kindergarten aged six or under.
South China Morning Post
23-05-2025
- South China Morning Post
3-year-old girl discovered alone alongside mother's body in Hong Kong flat
A three-year-old girl has been discovered living alone at her home in Hong Kong with the body of her 40-year-old mother, who was suspected to have died on her bed in a public housing flat some time ago. The tragedy came to light on Friday morning in a flat on the 24th floor of Ping Wah House, Lok Wah North Estate, in Kwun Tong. While one media report suggested that an initial examination indicated the mother had been deceased for around four days, a source said that the precise time of death would need to be ascertained by a postmortem examination. The discovery was made at around 11.20am on Friday after the loud cries of a baby girl alarmed neighbours. Fearing the baby was being mistreated, they contacted estate staff for help. The girl was also reportedly banging on the flat's gate. According to the source, the Housing Department then called the girl's grandmother to help open the door. A police spokesman said: 'A Housing Department staff member called the police. It was at first suspected to be an abuse case.'
