Hong Kong High-Rise Fire: Overview and Casualties
On Wednesday, approximately 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT), a fire erupted in a high-rise public housing complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong. The incident led to the confirmed deaths of at least 128 individuals, with nearly 300 people reported as unaccounted for at the time of reporting. Firefighting efforts extended for nearly 24 hours to bring the blaze under control. The fire impacted seven of the eight tower blocks within Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized housing estate comprising 1,800 residential units.
Resident Accounts and Search Efforts
Mr. Chung reported receiving a call from his wife, who indicated she was unable to exit their 23rd-floor apartment with their cat due to smoke. Mr. Chung's wife is currently among the missing. Similarly, Ms. Fung's mother is unaccounted for; Ms. Fung stated her mother had been in contact with a neighbor from a toilet within the building before communication ceased. Relatives of missing persons have utilized social media platforms to disseminate information and seek updates.
Census data from 2021 indicates that approximately 40% of Wang Fuk Court residents are aged 65 or above. This demographic profile has raised concerns regarding the speed of evacuation for many residents.
Grandma Chan, 72, and Grandma Wu, 82, were among the residents who successfully evacuated. Both were alerted to the fire by family members or neighbors rather than an official alarm system.
Investigation into Cause and Contributing Factors
The precise cause of the fire remains under investigation. Authorities have suggested that ongoing renovations, which involved the use of flammable materials and scaffolding, may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The renovation project at Wang Fuk Court, initiated last year, was valued at approximately HK$330 million ($42.2 million; £32.1 million), with individual households contributing between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000. Some residents had previously opposed the project due to its cost.
Police have arrested three executives from the construction firm involved, citing "gross negligence." Preliminary findings indicate that mesh and plastic sheets used on the scaffolding, along with styrofoam wrapping windows, were substandard and highly flammable. Residents reported not hearing any alarm warnings during the initial stages of the fire.