About 600 families from Hong Kong’s fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court have requested a second visit to their flats, authorities have said, as residents of the most severely damaged tower return to salvage their belongings.

While some survivors on Thursday morning recalled harrowing escapes from the worst-hit block and retrieved large items such as a television and a framed wedding photo, others criticised the time limit imposed on each household and called for justice over the deadly blaze.

Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration Cheuk Wing-hing said that the government would provide additional support for residents of Wang Cheong House, the hardest-hit tower where 81 of the 168 deaths in the Tai Po fire occurred. Residents are returning between April 23 and April 28.

“Wang Cheong House and Wang Tai House were severely damaged by the fire, with more fatalities reported. Returning residents will need greater support, particularly emotional and psychological assistance,” he said.

Households of Wang Tai House, which recorded the highest death toll at 82, will return between April 29 and May 4.

Cheuk said each resident entering the block would be accompanied by a police officer, noting that the Social Welfare Department would deploy a psychologist and a social worker to support households where fatalities occurred.