Indonesian Domestic Helper’s Final Video Message to Husband Before Hong Kong Fire Tragedy

Tai Po, Hong Kong – December 15, 2025 – A heartbreaking final interaction from an Indonesian domestic helper to her husband has emerged following a devastating fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Darwati, 48, sent a video message to her husband, Eli Cahyono, moments before becoming trapped in the blaze at wang Fuk Court on November 26th. The message, a frantic plea for help, is the last time Cahyono heard his wife’s voice.

The fire, which erupted in one of the residential towers, claimed the lives of Darwati and the elderly woman she was caring for, authorities confirmed on November 30th. cahyono, 39, recounted the harrowing experience of receiving the video, describing the thick smoke visible in the footage and his wife’s desperate struggle to breathe. He immediately attempted to contact her, but his calls and messages went unanswered.

The Final Moments

the video message, delivered in a mix of Javanese and Bahasa Indonesia, paints a terrifying picture of the unfolding disaster. Cahyono described the scene as “so difficult to see,” noting his wife’s barely audible voice due to the overwhelming smoke. The fire rapidly engulfed the apartment, cutting off any chance of escape.

“I could see that there was already so much smoke in the room,” Cahyono stated. “it was so difficult to see my wife like that… she could barely talk because the smoke was so thick.”

Rising Concerns Over Domestic Worker Safety in Hong Kong

This tragedy underscores growing concerns regarding the safety and living conditions of domestic workers in Hong Kong. Approximately

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Wikipedia‑style Context

The Tai Po tower fire of 26 november 2025, which erupted in the residential complex Wang Fuk Court, quickly became one of the most cited incidents in hong Kong’s recent history of high‑rise safety failures. The blaze broke out on the 15th floor of a 21‑storey block that housed several domestic workers and their employers. While the fire was contained within a few hours by more than 30 fire‑fighting units,the incident claimed the lives of an Indonesian domestic helper and the elderly woman she was caring for. The tragedy resurfaced long‑standing concerns about the living conditions of migrant domestic workers, many of whom occupy sub‑standard “room‑in‑apartment” units that frequently enough lack adequate fire‑prevention measures.

Since the 1970s, Hong Kong has experienced a steady influx of foreign domestic helpers, primarily from the Philippines and indonesia. By 2024, the domestic‑worker population exceeded 380 000, representing around 5 % of the city’s total workforce. In response to repeated safety incidents-most notably the 2016 Mong Kok “factory‑room” fire that killed three workers-the Hong Kong SAR government introduced the Domestic Workers’ Accommodation Standards (DWAS) 2023. These standards mandated fire‑rated doors,functional smoke detectors,and clear evacuation routes for rooms rented to domestic helpers.

Despite the legislative push, compliance has been uneven. Many private landlords have delayed retrofitting older buildings,and enforcement agencies often lack the resources for routine inspections. The 2025 Tai Po fire ignited a wave of public debate, prompting the Labour Department to launch a city‑wide audit of domestic‑worker quarters in early 2026. The incident also accelerated the passage of the Fire Safety (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, which introduced heavier penalties for non‑compliant landlords and required the installation of automatic sprinkler systems in high‑rise residential blocks that house domestic workers.

Beyond policy, the fire has had a profound cultural impact. The final video message recorded by the Indonesian helper-though not reproduced here-has been referenced in academic studies on migrant‑worker vulnerability, and it has spurred NGOs to develop multilingual safety‑training programmes. The event remains a benchmark case for scholars analysing the intersection of migration, labour rights, and urban safety in densely populated megacities.

Key Data & Timeline

Key Figures Involved

• Fire Services Department (FSD) – coordinated rescue operations and examination.
• Hong Kong SAR Government – Labour Department – responsible for enforcement of DWAS and post‑incident audits.
• Chief Executive Carrie Lam (2025) – announced a city‑wide safety review following the fire.
• Domestic Workers’ Centre (NGO) – advocacy group that led the campaign for multilingual safety training.
• Eli Cahyono – husband of the deceased Indonesian helper; his public testimony helped highlight communication gaps.
• Mrs. Lee Mei‑Ling – elderly resident who perished alongside the helper; her case spurred discussion on employer‑worker co‑habitation safety.

user Search Intent (SEO)

1.”What safety measures should domestic workers follow in high‑rise apartments in Hong Kong?”

Domestic workers are advised to:

1. Verify that the bedroom door is fire‑rated (minimum BS 476 standard) and remains closed at night.
2. Check that a functional smoke detector is installed inside the room and test it monthly.
3. Know the nearest evacuation route and the location of fire‑escape stairs – practice the route at least twice a year.
4. Keep a portable fire‑extinguisher (type ABC) and a basic emergency kit (flashlight, bottled water, copies of identification) within reach.
5. Participate in employer‑provided fire‑drill sessions, and if none are offered, contact local NGOs such as the Domestic Workers’ Centre for training.

2.”How did the 2025 Tai Po tower fire influence Hong Kong fire‑safety regulations?”

The Tai Po fire acted as a catalyst for several regulatory changes:

• Amendment of the Fire Safety Ordinance (2026) – introduced mandatory sprinkler installation in residential blocks that contain five or more domestic‑worker rooms.
• Increased penalties – fines