Tai Po, Hong Kong — A devastating fire broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, resulting in at least 36 confirmed deaths and leaving 279 people missing. The blaze rapidly engulfed multiple high-rise residential buildings, making it one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong in decades.
The fire ignited around 2:51 p.m. local time on Wednesday and quickly spread, fueled by bamboo scaffolding covering the buildings as part of ongoing renovation works. The complex comprises eight residential blocks with nearly 2,000 units housing approximately 4,800 residents. Thick black smoke and towering flames were visible from far away, with the fire escalating to a No. 5 alarm—the highest emergency level in the city.
Emergency services responded with 128 fire trucks, 57 ambulances, and 767 firefighters. Over a thousand residents were evacuated and moved to nearby shelters, but many remain unaccounted for amid fears that numerous people may still be trapped inside. Hospitals have admitted 29 injured, including several firefighters with critical burns.
Authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter related to the fire, amid investigations into the safety standards and construction practices concerning the bamboo scaffolding, which is widely used but highly flammable. Local government and residents are calling for urgent reforms as Hong Kong mourns the loss and struggles to contain the ongoing crisis.
President Xi Jinping expressed condolences and urged comprehensive efforts to extinguish the fire and aid victims. Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee has mobilized all government resources for rescue and support operations.
This tragic event highlights the risks in Hong Kong’s aging public housing estates and the urgent need for improved fire safety measures to prevent future catastrophes.