Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, announced that a fire in a high-rise residential complex in Tai Po, New Territories, resulted in 36 reported fatalities and 279 missing individuals. Lee also mentioned that 29 people were hospitalized as a result of the incident. The fire, which started in the housing complex and was later contained, prompted the evacuation of approximately 700 individuals to temporary shelters.
The fire was initially reported in the afternoon and escalated to a Level 5 alarm, signifying the highest level of severity, according to the fire department. Firefighters faced challenges such as extreme temperatures, falling debris, and scaffolding during their response to the blaze. The cause of the fire, which began at the external scaffolding before spreading to nearby buildings, is still under investigation.
Videos from the scene depicted multiple buildings engulfed in flames, with firefighters working tirelessly to extinguish the fire. The Wang Fuk housing complex, established in 1983 and comprising eight blocks with nearly 2,000 apartments, accommodates around 4,800 residents. Tragically, among the casualties was a firefighter, while another was treated for heat exhaustion. The fire services deployed a significant number of fire trucks and ambulances to manage the situation.
Local authorities opened temporary shelters for those displaced by the fire, with reports indicating that many trapped residents were elderly individuals. Despite facing property loss, affected residents expressed frustration and helplessness as they witnessed the devastation unfold. The incident took place in Tai Po, a suburban area in the northern part of Hong Kong, close to the border with Shenzhen.
Bamboo scaffolding, a common feature in Hong Kong construction projects, has raised safety concerns, leading the government to consider phasing it out in public projects.