Hong Kong Blaze Kills at Least 44, Leaves 279 Missing – As It Happened
A ferocious fire ripped through a residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, killing at least 44 people and leaving 279 others unaccounted for, in the city's deadliest blaze in over a decade. Among the scores hospitalised, 45 remain in serious condition. Four of the seven affected blocks are under control, with rescuers now searching lower floors for survivors.
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What We Know So Far
- Casualties: 44 confirmed dead, including a firefighter; 279 missing; 29 hospitalised (7 critical).
- Site: Wang Fuk Court housing estate, eight 32-storey towers with ~2,000 flats, home to 4,600 residents. Under renovation since July 2024 with bamboo scaffolding and green mesh.
- Cause: Authorities call the rapid spread "unusual"; styrofoam found in buildings. Investigations, including criminal probes, underway.
- Response: Fire rated No. 5 (highest) at 6:22pm Wednesday; 760 firefighters deployed. Blazes in three blocks controlled after 10 hours; four still burning.
- Chief Executive John Lee: Described it as a "massive catastrophe". Over 900 residents in temporary shelters.
- President Xi Jinping: Expressed condolences, urged "all-out efforts" to minimise losses.
- Election Impact: Campaign activities suspended ahead of 7 December polls; Lee to review postponement.
The fire broke out at 2:51pm Wednesday (Local Time) in one tower and spread rapidly to seven blocks, with flames consuming the scaffolding. Thick black smoke blanketed Tai Po, visible miles away.
Police received reports of trapped residents, including a man and woman found unconscious with burns. Footage showed burning mesh falling to the ground.
As It Happened
- 2:51pm: Fire reported in Block 1; initial No. 1 alarm.
- 3:34pm: Escalated to No. 4; flames spread to adjacent blocks.
- 6:22pm: No. 5 alarm triggered; full resources mobilised.
- Evening: Three blocks controlled; 29 hospitalised, 7 critical.
- Overnight: Death toll rises to 44; 279 unaccounted for. Three men (aged 52–68) arrested on manslaughter suspicion.
- Early Thursday: Four blocks under control; search for survivors begins. Lee visits site, vows full probe.
Residents described chaos: alarms failed in some towers; elevators stopped, trapping elderly and disabled. Many hid in bathrooms with wet towels against smoke.
Wang Fuk Court, built in 1983, houses mostly retirees. The last No. 5 fire was in 2008 at Cornwall Court.
Lee pledged support for victims and a review of renovation safety standards. Xi's message, via CCTV, emphasised rescue efforts.
As dawn broke, firefighters combed rubble amid lingering smoke. The tragedy has shocked the densely populated city, raising questions on high-rise fire safety amid ongoing renovations. Updates to follow.
