Death toll in Hong Kong high-rise fire rises to 55, with 279 still missing
Number of fatalities from massive residential fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has risen to 55, while 279 people remain unaccounted for
TAI PO (MNTV) — The number of fatalities from Wednesday’s massive residential fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has risen to 55, while 279 people remain unaccounted for, authorities said.
The blaze erupted around midday in a sprawling complex of more than 1,900 apartments and spread with alarming speed, fueled by bamboo scaffolding and renovation materials wrapped around the structures.
Fire officials confirmed that the dead include one firefighter. Of the 68 injured who were taken to hospitals, 16 are in critical condition and 25 are listed as serious.
Seven of the complex’s buildings — home to an estimated 4,000 residents — were engulfed. Crews have brought three under control, but fires continue to burn in the remaining four.
Rescue teams are still searching for the missing, and efforts to fully extinguish the flames are ongoing.
Police have arrested three people — two managers and a consulting engineer from the renovation contractor — on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigators say the bamboo scaffolding and foam-plastic window coverings used during the renovation significantly accelerated the fire’s spread.
“We have reason to believe the individuals responsible acted with gross negligence, enabling the fire to race through the buildings and resulting in heavy loss of life,” Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee said.
Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang added that early findings suggest the blaze spread at an unusually fast rate. He pointed to the foam insulation, scaffolding netting and waterproof tarpaulin as contributing factors, noting they did not appear to meet standard safety requirements.
Authorities issued a level-5 fire alarm — the city’s highest alert — for the first time in 17 years.
Two nearby complexes were evacuated, and about 900 displaced residents have taken shelter at eight temporary sites. More than 140 fire vehicles and over 800 emergency personnel were deployed to the scene, while nearby roads were closed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed condolences to the Hong Kong government and directed the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office to support the response. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life, offered sympathy to the victims’ families and wished the injured a swift recovery. He later convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to coordinate the government’s actions.
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