Fire authorities in Hong Kong are close to concluding search and rescue operations following a major fire at a high-rise apartment complex, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 94 individuals. The Fire Services Department of Hong Kong reported over 70 injuries, including 11 firefighters, in addition to the fatalities, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the city’s recent memory.
Rescue teams equipped with flashlights are meticulously combing through the charred Wang Fuk Court complex, consisting of densely packed towers in the Tai Po district. Efforts are focused on checking all units in the seven towers to ensure no further casualties and to fully extinguish the remaining flames.
Deputy Director of the Fire Services Department, Derek Armstrong Chan, stated that the firefighting operation is nearing completion, with firefighters diligently working to prevent any rekindling of debris. The focus now shifts to the vital search-and-rescue phase.
Although the exact number of missing or trapped individuals remains uncertain, Hong Kong Leader John Lee disclosed that contact was lost with 279 people early on Thursday. Video footage captured rescuers navigating through smoke-filled apartments, with lingering flames visible in some windows despite the overall devastation of the complex.
The fire, believed to have originated in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, swiftly spread across seven of the eight buildings within the complex. By Thursday afternoon, fires in four buildings had been successfully extinguished, with authorities asserting control over the remaining three towers.
Rescuers continue to face challenging conditions as they meticulously search each floor for survivors. Tragically, one firefighter was among the casualties, and approximately 900 individuals were evacuated to temporary shelters as a precautionary measure.
Concerns over fire safety standards have been raised, with suspicions that inadequate materials on the building’s exterior walls contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. Investigations are ongoing, including the arrest of three individuals associated with a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter.
The incident has sparked shock and scrutiny, prompting authorities to reevaluate safety protocols and construction practices to prevent such tragedies in the future. The community remains in mourning as the city grapples with the aftermath of this devastating fire.