URGENT UPDATE: A catastrophic fire in Hong Kong has claimed at least 36 lives and left 279 people missing as the blaze erupted late Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district. This tragic incident marks one of the deadliest fires in the city in decades.
Emergency services are currently in a race against time to locate missing residents, many of whom are elderly individuals trapped in the blaze. As of now, over 900 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters while firefighters continue to battle the flames that engulfed seven high-rise buildings, which house nearly 4,800 residents in total.
Authorities confirm that the fire began around mid-afternoon and quickly escalated to a level 5 alarm, the highest severity classification. Firefighters faced extreme challenges, including high temperatures and the risk of falling debris from the bamboo scaffolding surrounding the buildings.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee stated, “Police and the Fire Services Department have already set up a dedicated investigation team to investigate the cause of the fire.” The flames reportedly started on the external scaffolding of a 32-storey tower and spread rapidly due to windy conditions.
The local government has expressed deep condolences, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping extending sympathies to the families of victims, including a firefighter who tragically lost his life in the incident. This heartbreaking event has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing despair over their lost homes.
Firefighters from across the region are working tirelessly, utilizing aerial ladder trucks to combat the intense flames. As night fell, conditions remained perilous, with ongoing threats from falling debris. Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung reported that some residents remain unaccounted for and urged the public to stay away from the affected area to facilitate rescue operations.
The housing estate, constructed in the 1980s, was undergoing significant renovations at the time of the fire, raising concerns about safety protocols. Bamboo scaffolding, while common in construction in Hong Kong, has been criticized for its potential hazards.
This incident is reminiscent of the devastating fire in Kowloon in 1996, which resulted in 41 deaths. The community is now bracing for the emotional and logistical aftermath of this tragic event.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are advising all residents to remain vigilant and comply with evacuation orders. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.
For those affected, support services are being mobilized to assist victims and their families in the wake of this disaster. The urgent need for safety assessments in high-rise buildings has become a pressing concern for officials and residents alike.
Stay tuned for further developments on this ongoing situation as we continue to monitor the rescue efforts and the investigation into the cause of this tragic fire.
