Hong Kong authorities announced on Friday that search and rescue operations would soon conclude at the city’s deadliest fire in nearly 80 years, which tore through the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, claiming at least 94 lives.
The eight-tower estate, home to more than 4,600 residents, had been undergoing renovations and was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh when the fire erupted on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly spreading across the buildings.
Firefighters faced extreme heat, thick smoke, and collapsing scaffolding as they worked to reach residents trapped on upper floors. Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan said crews would continue to attempt entry into all units to ensure no casualties remained. Early Thursday, 279 people were listed as missing, though authorities have not provided updated figures. At least 25 unresolved calls for help remain a priority.
Police arrested three construction company officials on suspicion of manslaughter, citing the use of unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards that blocked windows.
Two of the confirmed victims were Indonesian domestic workers, highlighting the vulnerability of migrant laborers in the city’s dense housing complexes. Most fatalities were found in two towers, while survivors were discovered in several others.
The fire, the deadliest in Hong Kong since a 1948 warehouse blaze, drew comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster of 2017. Authorities are considering replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal to improve safety standards in high-rise renovations. The Hong Kong government has pledged HK$300 million ($39 million) to assist affected residents, while major Chinese firms have donated funds.
As official shelters struggled to accommodate evacuees, dozens of residents—including children and the elderly—took refuge in a nearby mall, setting up mattresses and receiving assistance from volunteers.
The tragedy underscores the risks of high-density urban housing and may heighten public scrutiny over safety regulations and government oversight. Hong Kong’s leadership emphasized swift response, signaling the gravity of the incident in a city already sensitive to social and political pressures.
