Death toll in Hong Kong tower block fire rises to 36 with 279 reported missing | Hong Kong
T.The city’s leader, John Lee, said in a statement early Thursday morning that the death toll in the huge fire that engulfed many residential blocks in Hong Kong rose to 36, and 279 more people were reported missing.
A task force has been formed to investigate the cause of a fire that broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po in the Northern New Territories. The complex consists of eight 31-storey towers containing approximately 2,000 apartments, housing approximately 4,800 people.
Lee said 29 people remained in hospital, 7 of whom were in critical condition, and the fire was “under control.”
Authorities declared the incident a five-alarm fire, the highest emergency rating, and at least 128 fire trucks and nearly 800 firefighters were dispatched to fight the blaze. Roads were closed, including major highways near the towers.
Shortly after the fire broke out, Hong Kong fire service operations deputy director Derek Armstrong Chan said: “The temperature inside the relevant buildings is very high. It is difficult for us to enter the building and go upstairs to carry out firefighting and rescue operations.”
Among the dead was at least one firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, 37.
Videos taken from the scene show flames spreading through the towers and visible on every floor, spilling out of the windows.
Dozens of shocked residents, many sobbing, watched from nearby sidewalks as smoke billowed from the complex.
A Tai Po resident who gave their surname as So told Agence France-Presse near the fire scene: “There is nothing that can be done about the property. We can only hope that everyone, old or young, can return safely.” “It’s heartbreaking. We’re worried there are people trapped inside.”
A resident who gave his surname as Wong (71) burst into tears, saying his wife was trapped in one of the buildings.
Wang Fuk Court towers are among the tallest in Tai Po, which, like much of Hong Kong, is among the most densely populated areas in the world. Most residents are elderly, according to 2021 census data reported by CNN.
The Hong Kong government said all departments were coordinating to assist response efforts and affected residents.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed his condolences for the victims, the Chinese state broadcaster said in a statement late Wednesday.
Officials reportedly said the fire started in some of the exterior bamboo and mesh scaffolding surrounding the towers and then spread inwards, though the exact cause is still unknown.
Construction standards in Hong Kong are relatively high and have improved greatly in recent years, but the Industrial Accident Victims’ Rights Association has expressed deep concern about scaffolding-related fires, noting similar incidents in April, May and October.
Bamboo scaffolding is a ubiquitous sight in Hong Kong’s construction and renovation areas, but the government has said it is being phased out for safety reasons.
Tai Po district authorities opened shelters in local community halls; At least one of those halls was full Wednesday night, according to local media reports, and police set up a shelter. injured helpline.
Many forums and campaign events planned to be held in the coming days regarding the December 7 elections have been canceled.
The fire was the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in recent years. In November 1996, 41 people died in a level five fire at a commercial building in Kowloon that lasted about 20 hours.
