Deadly Fire Ravages Hong Kong Residential Complex
A devastating fire swept through a residential area in Tai Po, Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in 44 confirmed deaths and 45 injured by early Thursday morning. The blaze at Wang Fuk Court residential complex triggered massive rescue operations that continued throughout the night.
Rescue Efforts and Government Response
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee addressed the media in the early hours of Thursday, confirming that firefighters had gradually brought the situation under control after tireless efforts. Speaking at a press briefing, Lee revealed the death toll had reached 36, with 279 people still unaccounted for and rescue operations actively ongoing.
The Chief Executive expressed deep sadness over the situation and emphasized the government's full commitment to supporting rescue operations. Twenty-nine people remain hospitalized, including seven in critical condition, according to official statements.
Fire Spread and Emergency Response
The Fire Services Department received the initial alert at 2:51 p.m. local time on Wednesday. As the blaze intensified, authorities escalated the emergency response, raising the fire alert to No. 5 alarm level at 6:22 p.m. due to the fierce nature of the flames.
Wang Fuk Court consists of eight residential buildings, and the fire initially spread from one structure to seven others. By Thursday morning, three buildings showed no visible flames while four others displayed only sporadic fire spots, indicating progress in containment efforts.
The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has activated its Major Incident Control Center to coordinate medical response and patient care. The HKSAR government has mobilized all available resources to support comprehensive work including fire extinguishing, resident rescue, medical treatment, family assistance, and accident investigation.
