Hong Kong is reeling from its deadliest fire in nearly eight decades, with the confirmed death toll climbing to at least 75 and dozens still missing. Firefighters continued battling flames more than 24 hours after the blaze tore through an eight-tower residential estate in Tai Po, where almost 2,000 apartments were affected.
project hoursAuthorities are investigating what fueled the rapid spread of the fire, focusing on the bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh covering the buildings for ongoing renovation work. The city’s anti-corruption commission also launched a probe into the project, hours after police arrested three construction company officials accused of leaving flammable foam packaging at the site.
neighborsResidents of Wang Fuk Court said they heard no fire alarms, forcing neighbours to knock on doors and alert families themselves. “The flames spread so fast… we had just one hose trying to reach multiple buildings,” said a resident surnamed Suen.
Firefighters reported that four towers were fully extinguished by Thursday afternoon, while three others were under control. One building remained untouched.
Among the confirmed dead were a 37-year-old firefighter and two Indonesian domestic workers. Pope Leo expressed “spiritual solidarity” with victims’ families, while Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences and promised support, including drones and medical supplies.
The tragedy marks Hong Kong’s worst fire since 1948, when an explosion and fire killed 135 people. Officials warn the death toll may rise as they attempt to contact nearly 300 unaccounted residents, though some have been reached.
items,At a nearby community center, emotional families gathered to identify victims, many through personal items as some bodies were severely burned.
Hospitals reported 12 people in critical condition, 29 serious, and 17 stable. More than 900 residents spent the night in temporary shelters as volunteers distributed food, clothes, and missing-person flyers.
In response, Hong Kong’s government ordered immediate inspections of all estates undergoing major renovation. Officials stressed the urgent need to shift to metal scaffolding to prevent similar disasters.
Amid the devastation, the community rallied together. Crowds gathered to support displaced families and exhausted firefighters. “When one person suffers, the whole city stands behind them,” said volunteer Stone Ngai.
Due to the ongoing crisis, all activities linked to Hong Kong’s upcoming December 7 legislative elections have been suspended.
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