Can't just count on govt to prevent tragedy: Chris Sun
Welfare secretary Chris Sun on Saturday urged Hong Kong people to work together to prevent family tragedies, after two middle-aged brothers were found dead in their public housing flat. The bodies of the two men, who were 55 and 53, were found after a security guard reported a smell from their home in Sau Mau Ping on Friday. It's understood that the pair were intellectually-challenged, and starved after their mother was hospitalised. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Sun expressed condolences on the men's deaths, and said the Social Welfare Department has reached out to their relatives to offer help. He said there was no record of the family seeking assistance from the Social Welfare Department or other NGOs, but did not disclose further details of their situation. He said the government will soon roll out a hotline service for carers, but stressed that the whole community needs to work together to prevent tragedies. "What we can do is do our best to build a more closely-knit mutual assistance network. But we can't just count on the government to do that. All government departments, welfare organisations and even neighbours should make an effort," he said. "I hope people who see anyone that may need help will take an extra step to help them, and society as a whole will work together to build a more close-knit network so people in need can get help in a timely manner."