A devastating fire engulfing multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has resulted in at least 44 fatalities.
Reports indicate that some residents were trapped within the structure, with police stating that 279 individuals remain missing.
Over 760 firefighters were deployed Wednesday afternoon to combat the extensive blaze. Images from the scene depict intense flames and dense plumes of smoke rising from the towers, dominating the city skyline.
According to local media outlets, three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to the fire, and a formal investigation is underway.
The fire originated at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) and was elevated to a level five classification – the most severe rating – by the fire department at 18:22.
The cause of the fire is currently undetermined. Initial assessments suggest that the flames spread rapidly due to the bamboo scaffolding covering the exterior of the buildings, which were undergoing renovation work.
Of those hospitalized, 45 are reported to be in serious condition, with the injured being distributed across hospitals in various districts.
Firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among those who perished in the incident. He was found unresponsive at the site approximately 30 minutes after communication was lost.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the deceased and my heartfelt sympathies to their families and the injured. We will provide all possible support,” officials stated.
Rescue efforts have been significantly hampered by the intense heat of the blaze and the presence of hazardous debris.
“The temperature inside the buildings concerned are very high, so it’s quite difficult for us to enter… and go upstairs to conduct firefighting and rescue operation,” noted Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of fire services.
The fire remains uncontained, and authorities have indicated uncertainty regarding a timeline for its extinguishment.
Constructed in 1983, Wang Fuk Court comprises eight tower blocks, housing 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, as per a 2021 government census. Seven of these towers have been affected by the fire.
Residents have reported to local media that fire alarms did not activate, and when elevators ceased functioning, evacuation became challenging. A local councilor indicated that a significant portion of Wang Fuk Court’s residents are elderly.
Reports also surfaced Wednesday evening of explosions originating from within the buildings, while fire hoses struggled to reach the upper levels of the 31-story structures.
Preliminary investigations suggest suspicious circumstances surrounding the rapid spread of the fire, according to Hong Kong’s security secretary, Chris Tang, as quoted by local media. This included the use of polystyrene to seal windows.
Police have evacuated adjacent buildings, and several temporary shelters have been established. One shelter located across from Wang Fuk Court was deemed unsafe due to the ongoing fire, prompting evacuees to be redirected to another location further away.
An officer at a temporary shelter informed AFP news agency that the number of unaccounted-for residents remains unclear, as individuals continue to arrive late into the night to report missing family members.
A substantial evacuation zone has been established around the fire, with road closures in effect and over 30 bus routes diverted, according to Hong Kong’s Transport Department.
China’s President Xi Jinping has conveyed his condolences to the victims and emphasized the imperative to exert every effort in extinguishing the fire and minimizing losses, as reported by state media.
The utilization of bamboo scaffolding is commonplace in Hong Kong, which remains one of the few cities globally to employ it in contemporary construction.
According to local media reports in March, the government’s development bureau has been actively working to phase out bamboo scaffolding in favor of metal alternatives, citing safety concerns.
It has been 17 years since Hong Kong endured a level five fire, when Cornwall Court, a building constructed in 1962, was destroyed. That fire resulted in four fatalities.
Additional reporting by Tiffany Wertheimer.
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