Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Claims at Least 44 Lives; 279 Still Missing as Authorities Investigate Cause

A devastating fire swept through a residential high-rise complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 44 fatalities and leaving 279 individuals unaccounted for. Emergency services are continuing rescue operations as the blaze, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, engulfed seven of the eight towers in the Wang Fuk Court housing estate.

Local authorities reported that the incident is the deadliest fire Hong Kong has experienced in several decades. Rescue teams worked overnight and into the morning, evacuating hundreds of residents amid intense flames and thick smoke that poured from the buildings. The affected estate comprises eight towers with nearly 2,000 units, home to approximately 4,800 residents, including many elderly individuals.

According to officials, 40 of the deceased were pronounced dead at the scene, while at least 62 people suffered injuries, primarily from burns and smoke inhalation. Among those who lost their lives was a 37-year-old firefighter. Another firefighter is undergoing treatment for heat exhaustion.

Investigations into the cause of the rapid fire spread have led to the arrest of three men, identified as the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company responsible for recent renovation works at the complex. Authorities suspect that some of the materials used on the exterior walls did not meet required fire safety standards. Additionally, police discovered highly flammable Styrofoam materials outside windows near lift lobbies, believed to have been installed during the renovation.

The fire reportedly began on the external scaffolding of a 32-story tower and, fueled by strong winds and the presence of bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, quickly spread to adjacent buildings. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department indicated that the blaze reached a level five alarm, the highest on the city's scale, as crews battled extreme heat and hazardous conditions. Falling debris and high temperatures complicated efforts to access upper floors and rescue trapped residents.

More than 200 fire vehicles and 100 ambulances were deployed to the scene. Approximately 900 residents have been relocated to temporary shelters set up by district officials to provide immediate aid to those displaced by the fire.

City leadership has emphasized the urgency of the disaster response. Government officials indicated that all available resources are being directed toward firefighting and rescue operations. As a result, public activities related to the upcoming Legislative Council elections have been suspended, with further decisions on possible delays expected soon.

Chinese authorities have expressed condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and called for comprehensive measures to minimize casualties and property loss. The Wang Fuk Court complex, constructed in the 1980s, was undergoing a significant renovation at the time of the incident, with bamboo scaffolding--a common feature in Hong Kong construction--erected around several buildings. The government had previously announced plans to phase out bamboo scaffolding in public projects due to safety concerns.

This fire stands as the most fatal in Hong Kong since a 1996 blaze at a commercial building in Kowloon, underscoring ongoing concerns over building safety standards and the use of flammable construction materials. The investigation into the recent tragedy is ongoing, with authorities focusing on possible negligence related to the renovation and fire safety compliance. Residents have expressed frustration and grief over the loss of property and life, as the community comes to terms with the scale of the disaster.