Hong Kong, Nov 28: Hong Kong authorities said on Friday they were close to ending search and rescue operations at a sprawling apartment complex in Tai Po, where a fast-moving fire has killed at least 94 people, making it the city’s deadliest blaze in nearly eight decades.
Firefighters have been working for more than two days to contain the fire, which tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate on Wednesday afternoon. The eight-tower complex, home to more than 4,600 residents, had been undergoing renovation and was shrouded in bamboo scaffolding and green construction mesh when the blaze began and rapidly engulfed seven of the towers.
Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan said crews were attempting to force entry into all units across the affected buildings. “We’ll endeavour to effect forcible entry to all the units of the seven buildings, so as to ensure there are no other possible casualties,” he said.
Authorities did not provide an updated number of missing residents. Hong Kong leader John Lee said on Thursday that contact had been lost with 279 people, though officials gave no further details at a later briefing.
Footage from the scene showed firefighters searching blackened apartments in darkness while pockets of orange flames continued to burn behind shattered windows. Emergency responders reported extreme difficulty accessing the buildings due to falling scaffolding, heavy debris, thick smoke and intense heat.
More than 70 people, including 11 firefighters, were injured. Around 900 residents were evacuated overnight to temporary shelters.
Police said three men, including two directors of a construction company and an engineering consultant, had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the incident. Pope Leo XIV sent condolences to Hong Kong’s Catholic leadership, expressing sorrow for the victims and offering prayers for the injured and those involved in rescue work.
Among those waiting for news was resident Lawrence Lee, who said his wife became trapped after smoke blocked escape routes. “Once she left the flat, the corridor and stairs were all filled with smoke and it was all dark, so she had no choice but to go back,” he said at a shelter.
Winter and Sandy Chung, who lived in one of the towers, said they saw sparks as they rushed out of the building. “I couldn’t sleep the entire night,” Winter Chung, 75, told reporters. Authorities said efforts to fully extinguish the remaining fires and complete the search would continue through Friday.
