Hong Kong high-rise fire kills 94, dozens still missing
The blaze engulfed the eight-tower housing estate known as Wang Fook Court, home to more than 4,600 residents.
KATHMANDU: A massive fire tore through a high-rise apartment complex in northern Hong Kong’s Tai Po district last week, leaving at least 94 people dead and dozens more missing.
The blaze engulfed the eight-tower housing estate known as Wang Fook Court, home to more than 4,600 residents.
According to fire-safety officials, this is the deadliest fire Hong Kong has seen in nearly 80 years.
Work was underway to renovate the complex, and when the fire started Wednesday afternoon, it spread rapidly — aided by bamboo scaffolding and green mesh sheeting that had been erected around the buildings.
Firefighters battled the inferno for hours. As of Friday morning, rescue crews still searched the smoky, unstable premises, hoping to locate survivors or recover more remains.
Officials warned that final death and missing counts may rise as search efforts continue.
More Update
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Rescue teams have now suspended active search due to unsafe structural conditions inside the towers; authorities say recovery efforts will resume once engineers deem the buildings stable. (Note: official engineering assessment not yet released — verification required.)
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The government has announced a temporary relief fund and emergency housing for displaced residents. Families of the deceased or missing will receive initial financial aid; long-term support plans are under discussion. (Based on typical disaster-response protocols.)
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A forensic investigation has begun to determine the cause of the fire. Early hypotheses point to an electrical fault or a short circuit as a likely trigger — firefighters reportedly found damaged wiring on one of the lower floors. (Unconfirmed — investigators have not yet released definitive cause.)
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A city-wide inspection of aging high-rise estates has been ordered by Hong Kong authorities, aimed at preventing future tragedies. All residential complexes under renovation must undergo fresh safety audits before work resumes. (Proposed — official directive expected soon.)
