Firefighters in Hong Kong are close to completing search and rescue operations following a major fire at a high-rise apartment complex that resulted in at least 94 fatalities. The blaze, one of the deadliest in the city’s history, also left over 70 individuals injured, including 11 firefighters. The incident occurred at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, near the city’s border with mainland China.
Rescue teams equipped with flashlights are navigating the charred towers to ensure no one is trapped inside. Fire officials are still focusing on a few remaining apartments and are working diligently to fully extinguish the fire within the next few hours. Deputy director of the Fire Services Department, Derek Armstrong Chan, mentioned that the firefighting operation was nearly complete, with efforts now shifting to the search and rescue phase.
The exact number of missing or trapped individuals remains uncertain. Hong Kong Leader John Lee reported losing contact with 279 people early on Thursday. Video footage shows rescuers conducting searches in the dark, with some parts of the complex still engulfed in flames. The fire, believed to have started in construction scaffolding, quickly spread across seven of the eight buildings in the complex.
Amidst the tragedy, one firefighter tragically lost their life, and around 900 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters. Authorities have arrested three individuals associated with a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter due to alleged negligence in fire safety standards. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire and ensure accountability for the tragic incident.
The fire’s rapid spread has raised concerns about the materials used in the building’s exterior walls, potentially contributing to the blaze’s intensity. Secretary for Security Chris Tang mentioned that further investigations into the materials involved in the fire’s spread are underway. The incident has prompted discussions about improving fire safety regulations and construction practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This devastating fire marks one of the deadliest incidents in Hong Kong’s recent history, with authorities and emergency responders working tirelessly to address the aftermath and support the affected residents.
