Hong Kong – A devastating fire has swept through a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in at least 44 fatalities and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly spread across multiple high-rise buildings within the Wang Fuk Court estate, a sprawling complex housing approximately 2,000 apartments across eight towers.
The scale of the disaster prompted authorities to issue the highest level of alert, as the fire’s rapid progression through the interconnected structures severely hampered rescue efforts. As of early Thursday morning, firefighters had managed to contain the flames in four of the towers, but operations were ongoing in the remaining three, more than 15 hours after the initial outbreak.
Police investigations have revealed potential safety violations that may have contributed to the fire’s intensity and rapid spread. According to authorities, protective netting and plastic sheeting covering the buildings may not have met fire safety standards. Furthermore, a construction company involved in maintenance work allegedly used a foam material to seal windows in one of the buildings, a practice now under scrutiny.
“We have reason to believe that the responsible parties at the construction company were grossly negligent, leading to this incident and causing the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in significant loss of life,” stated Eileen Chung, a Hong Kong police superintendent. She added that three men from the construction firm have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire.
The tragedy marks one of the worst disasters in Hong Kong in recent years, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess the full extent of the damage. The focus remains on search and rescue operations, with emergency services working tirelessly to locate and assist any remaining residents trapped within the affected buildings.
