HONG KONG: At least 44 people have died, and hundreds remain missing after a massive fire tore through several high-rise buildings in a Hong Kong housing estate, in what officials say is the city’s most deadly blaze since World War II. Rescue teams are still searching for survivors as parts of the complex continue to burn.
Authorities confirmed that three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, accusing them of “gross negligence” linked to the rapid spread of the inferno. The fire raced across the linked residential blocks, home to a large number of elderly residents, trapping many as flames engulfed multiple towers.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon and quickly escalated, prompting the Fire Services Department to raise the alarm to its highest level within hours. More than 800 firefighters and paramedics and over 140 fire engines have been deployed, with drones used to locate trapped residents.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu described the disaster as an “unprecedented catastrophe,” saying the scale of destruction shocked a city known for its strict construction rules and robust public-safety system.
Why was this fire so deadly?
According to CNN, officials and experts are now asking how such a devastating blaze could occur in a city of towering skyscrapers equipped with modern fire-safety measures. Though Hong Kong’s dense urban layout makes fires relatively common, fatalities have historically been low.
But data shows a worrying trend:
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33 fire-related deaths in 2024
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31 deaths in 2023 — the highest in 22 years
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12 deaths in 2013
For comparison, New York City, with a similar population size, recorded:
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78 fire deaths in 2024
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104 deaths in 2023
Investigators believe flammable materials, electrical faults, and cooking-related accidents remain major causes of Hong Kong’s recent fire fatalities.
Buildings still burning
Several blocks of the complex in Tai Po — known as Wang Fuk Court — remained ablaze late into the night. Emergency crews say more than 1,900 apartments were impacted and that many elderly residents may still be unaccounted for. Classes at six nearby schools have been suspended due to road closures and heavy smoke.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences and called for “all-out efforts” to reduce further casualties.
Rescue operations and structural assessments are ongoing, with authorities warning that the final death toll could rise significantly.
