Hong Kong Fire Claims at Least 55 Lives, Hundreds Missing; Three Arrested
TAI PO, Hong Kong – A massive fire ripped through the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 55 people and leaving hundreds unaccounted for, authorities confirmed. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the blaze, though details regarding the charges remain limited. the tragedy marks Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation and raising questions about building safety standards in the densely populated city.
The fire, which erupted Wednesday afternoon, quickly engulfed the older, low-income housing complex, trapping residents and overwhelming emergency services. Approximately 900 people were evacuated to temporary shelters as firefighters battled the intense flames for hours. Concerns centered on the vulnerability of elderly residents, with reports suggesting many were unable to escape independently. The scale of the disaster has prompted an outpouring of grief and a city-wide effort to locate missing persons and provide support to those displaced.
Lo Hiu-fung, a Tai Po District Council member, told local TV station TVB that many of those trapped were believed to be elderly. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department urged nearby residents to remain indoors, close windows and doors, and stay calm, issuing the warning via a Facebook post.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the firefighter who died in the operation and extended sympathies to the families of the victims, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The Wang Fuk Court complex is located in Tai Po, a suburban area in northern Hong Kong, close to the border with Shenzhen, China. The fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong as a 1996 blaze in a Kowloon commercial building claimed 41 lives.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the arrests. The incident has renewed scrutiny of fire safety regulations and building maintenance in Hong Kong, particularly in older residential structures.Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with authorities working to determine the full extent of the casualties and provide assistance to the affected community.
