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Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Rises to 83 as Search for Missing Continues
Firefighters in Hong Kong are still searching for hundreds of missing individuals after a devastating blaze engulfed multiple high-rise residential buildings in the city's Tai Po district, killing at least 83 people-the deadliest fire in over seven decades.
Blaze Engulfs Seven of Eight Tower Blocks
The fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex housing thousands, on Wednesday at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT). Flames and thick grey smoke billowed from seven of the eight tower blocks, dominating the city's skyline. By 18:22 local time, authorities escalated the incident to a level-five fire-the highest severity category.
Among the victims was firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, who was found collapsed at the scene roughly 30 minutes after contact was lost. Eleven other firefighters sustained injuries, according to the fire department. Rescue efforts have been complicated by extreme heat, unstable debris, and the risk of collapsing scaffolding.
Over 270 Missing as Anger Mounts Over Safety Failures
As of Thursday evening, more than 270 people remain unaccounted for, while 76 others have been injured, the fire service reported. The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, particularly after residents revealed that fire alarms had been deactivated during renovations. Construction workers reportedly used fire escapes as entry and exit points, further compromising safety.
Residents had previously raised concerns about renovation plans, citing exorbitant fees and doubts over whether the materials used met fire-safety standards. Investigators now suspect that non-fireproof mesh, plastic sheets, and polystyrene on the buildings' exteriors may have accelerated the fire's spread.
"We have reason to believe that those in charge at the company were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties," a police spokesperson stated.
Arrests Made as Authorities Launch Probes
Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee has pledged a thorough investigation, while the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced a criminal probe into the renovation works.
Fire safety expert Prof. Jiang Liming of Hong Kong Polytechnic University suggested that bamboo scaffolding-commonly used in the city's high-rise construction-may have also fueled the blaze. Lee has ordered inspections of all housing estates undergoing major repairs, with potential reviews of bamboo scaffolding regulations.
Complex's History and Broader Impact
Built in 1983, Wang Fuk Court comprises eight tower blocks with 1,984 apartments housing around 4,600 residents, nearly 40% of whom are aged 65 or older. The subsidized housing estate has been home to some residents since its construction.
China's President Xi Jinping expressed condolences and urged all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and mitigate losses, state media reported. The deadliest fire in Hong Kong's history occurred in 1948, killing 176 people in a warehouse explosion.
Next Steps
Lee emphasized that rescue operations would continue despite the challenging conditions. "Despite the complex conditions at the scene, the firefighters' rescue efforts will not stop," he said at a Thursday press conference.
