Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Kills 65, Hundreds Missing in Deadliest Blaze in Decades
A massive fire at a Hong Kong residential complex has claimed at least 65 lives, with hundreds still unaccounted for in what has become the city’s deadliest blaze in over seven decades. The tragedy at Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po has left families devastated and authorities investigating allegations of gross negligence by construction companies.
Key Takeaways
- 65 confirmed dead, 70 injured in Hong Kong high-rise fire
- 279 people still unaccounted for as search continues
- Three company officials arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
- Construction materials including foam packaging suspected in rapid fire spread
- Over 1,200 firefighters deployed with 304 emergency vehicles
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Firefighters battled intense heat and dense smoke for more than 24 hours after the blaze broke out on Wednesday. Rescue teams worked desperately to reach residents trapped on higher floors of the 32-storey towers. By Thursday evening, authorities confirmed 65 fatalities and 70 injuries, including 10 firefighters among the injured.
A government spokesperson revealed that 61 people are currently hospitalized, with 15 in critical condition, 27 in serious condition, and 19 stable. Among the deceased was a 37-year-old firefighter found with facial burns after losing contact with colleagues.
Construction Negligence Suspected
Police superintendent Eileen Chung stated that investigators believe “the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties.”
Authorities have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant of the construction company on suspicion of manslaughter. The suspects are accused of negligently leaving foam packaging at the site where the fire started.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, comprising eight closely built blocks with approximately 2,000 flats, was home to over 4,600 residents. The estate had been undergoing a HK$330 million ($42 million) renovation for the past year, with each unit contributing between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000 toward the costs.
Victims and Missing Persons
The Indonesian consulate confirmed that two Indonesian migrant domestic workers were among the deceased, with two others injured. City leader John Lee reported that 279 residents remain unaccounted for, though firefighters have established contact with some of these individuals.
More than 900 people sought refuge at eight temporary shelters overnight. Distraught family members gathered outside shelters, with one woman identified only as Ng searching for her daughter and husband while carrying her daughter’s graduation photograph.
“She and her father are still not out yet,” sobbed the 52-year-old. “They didn’t have water to save our building.”
Ongoing Investigation
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has launched an inquiry into the renovation work, examining whether graft played any role in the tragedy. Police are investigating the use of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh around the buildings, which may have fallen short of fire safety standards.
Video from the scene showed flames leaping from at least two of the towers sheathed in green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding. Authorities confirmed that flames in four of the eight blocks had been fully extinguished, while fires in three other buildings were under control. One block remained unaffected by the blaze.
This tragedy marks Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948, when 176 people perished in a warehouse blaze. As recovery efforts continue, the city mourns one of its worst modern disasters.
