Hong Kong: A catastrophic fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, leaving at least 13 people dead and many feared missing.
The towering inferno, which engulfed multiple high-rise blocks, sent plumes of thick black smoke into the sky, shocking residents of the densely populated northern New Territories.
The blaze, which erupted around 2:50 pm local time, rapidly spread through bamboo scaffolding encasing the 31-storey towers, which house nearly 2,000 apartments.
Authorities escalated the fire to a No. 4 alarm, with over 760 firefighters battling the flames late into the night. At least 15 people were injured, with two in critical condition, while rescue operations continued to locate trapped residents. The Hong Kong government opened temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall and Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building to accommodate evacuees.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as flames leapt from windows, with residents gathering on overhead walkways, watching helplessly. A 71-year-old resident, surnamed Wong, broke down, fearing for his wife trapped inside. The complex, home to over 4,600 people, was undergoing renovation, raising concerns about the safety of bamboo scaffolding, which authorities began phasing out earlier this year.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee expressed condolences, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking”. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with officials noting the unusually rapid spread. As firefighters worked tirelessly, the city mourned the loss of lives, including one 37-year-old firefighter hailed as “gallant”.
The incident, one of Hong Kong’s deadliest in decades, has sparked urgent calls for stricter safety measures.