Students and teachers from the Ma On Shan school shattered by tragedy 10 years ago gathered at a hillside memorial yesterday to remember the victims - especially the two heroic teachers who died trying to save their pupils.
The group of about 50 people from the HKCWC Fung Yiu King Memorial Secondary School made their way under clear skies to the Spring Breeze Pavilion in the Pat Sin Leng Country Park to sing songs and observe a minute's silence on the anniversary of the blaze. The pavilion, near Tai Mei Tuk, was built in memory of teachers Chau Chi-chai and Wong Sau-mei.
Among the group was Li Hoi-kee, who was in his second year teaching at the school when the fire happened and later had the task of helping the injured students resume school life.
Mr Li, who initially stayed on the fringe of the ceremony, said he vividly recalled the gloomy atmosphere at the school immediately after the tragedy.
'My most vivid memory was the first day,' he said. 'Back at the school, the staff room was very quiet as we were all too upset. In the toilet, when I was looking into the mirror, I saw the eyes of another colleague in the reflection and we, two male teachers, started crying.'
The group yesterday placed commemorative cards and flowers at two Buddhist pines guarding the pavilion's entrance. The trees represent the two teachers.
