Tai Po Fire Victims Use Exoskeletons to See Former Homes

Former residents can go into their flats starting next week

The victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po will finally get a chance to see first hand the conditions of their flats when they are allowed to go in from April 20 to May 4.

In late November a burning inferno spread to seven of eight apartment buildings, killing 168 people and displacing more than 4,000 residents.

Many have complained bitterly that only allowed three hours is not enough time to gather all their belongings, but they may not have much to retrieve, as many flats were burned out, or completely gutted.

Some are practicing using an exoskeleton

A number of the former residents are elderly and the elevators won't be working in the apartment buildings that have 31 storeys.

As a result, many are turning to technology to give them a physical boost. Some are practicing going up the stairs using exoskeletons that are attached to the waist and knees to help them walk up.

One is 59-year-old Fanny Mok, who is using the device to be able to climb up to the 13th floor where she used to live.

"My knees hurt, I don't have enough strength, and I get short of breath," she said. "There's a real need. If I were 30 I wouldn't need it. But at 60, I genuinely do."

An NGO called AidVengers Federation is lending out the exoskeletons and teaching people how to use them. The devices are made by Hypershell, a Shanghai-based robotics company. 

All former residents who want to use the exoskeleton must pass a test before being able to operate the device. The pass rate is 70 percent, according to the NGO.

Some put on the exoskeleton to use the stairs

Once the residents make it up to their flats, can they physically move all the stuff (if there is anything remaining) down all those floors too?

Those few days are going to be traumatic for the victims; I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like seeing what is left of your home following such a horrific disaster.