Miracle Survivor Found After Hong Kong High-Rise Fire
In a remarkable rescue, firefighters found a survivor nearly 24 hours after a massive fire engulfed Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court complex. The man was discovered on a 16th-floor stairway of Wang Tao House, offering a glimmer of hope amid one of the city’s deadliest disasters.
Key Takeaways
- Death toll rises to 83 with over 280 people still missing
- 76 people injured, including 15 in critical condition
- One firefighter among those killed in the blaze
- Fire believed to have started on bamboo scaffolding
Rescue Operations Continue
Firefighters battled for a second day on Thursday to contain the massive inferno that spread across seven of the complex’s eight buildings. The identity of the rescued survivor remains unknown as search operations continue.
Investigation Underway
While the exact cause remains unknown and a criminal investigation is ongoing, preliminary reports suggest the fire began on bamboo scaffolding before rapidly spreading. Video footage showed flames leaping from at least two towers covered in green construction mesh.
Consultancy firm Will Power Architects expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and property loss, confirming they are fully cooperating with police and fire authorities by providing building plans and professional data. The firm has pledged to assist with estate restoration but declined further comment to preserve the investigation’s integrity.
Heartbreaking Personal Stories
The human tragedy unfolded as families shared their devastating losses. One woman mourned, “My baby is dead. I am the mum who keeps posting non-stop on social media trying to find my baby.” She added that she cannot locate her father-in-law or mother-in-law either.
Firefighters confirmed finding a baby and an adult with no signs of life in one flat. Outside a shelter, a distraught 52-year-old woman carrying her daughter’s graduation photograph searched for her child, telling reporters, “She and her father are still not out yet.”
