Hong Kong is in mourning after a deadly fire at a high-rise apartment complex killed 128 people, with more than 200 still unaccounted for. The disaster, the city’s worst in nearly 80 years, has shocked residents and authorities alike.
Authorities have arrested 11 people linked to the blaze, investigating possible corruption and unsafe building materials used during renovations at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, near the border with mainland China.
The fire began on Wednesday afternoon, spreading quickly across seven of the eight 32-storey blocks. Bamboo scaffolding, green mesh, and flammable foam insulation covering the buildings for renovation helped the flames spread.
Rescue teams ended active operations on Friday, but police warn that more bodies could be found as investigations continue inside the burnt structures. The fire alarms at the estate, home to over 4,600 residents, were reportedly not working properly. Police officers in white protective suits, helmets, and oxygen masks continued searching through the charred buildings. They carefully moved around fallen bamboo scaffolding and water puddles left by fire crews working for days to lower temperatures inside the complex. Only 39 of the 128 victims have been formally identified. Families and mourners visited the site to lay flowers and view photographs of the deceased taken by rescue workers.
Hong Kong leader John Lee and government officials observed three minutes of silence outside central government offices on Saturday. Flags were lowered to half-mast, and condolence books were set up at 18 locations for the public to pay their respects. King Charles of Britain expressed his sympathy, calling the fire an “appalling tragedy” and sending condolences to those affected.
The Hong Kong government has announced a HK$300 million ($40 million) relief fund to help survivors. Several large Chinese companies have also pledged donations. Hundreds of volunteers are assisting with relief efforts. They are distributing essentials such as food, diapers, and clothing in round-the-clock shifts. A large support camp has been established across from the complex to help displaced residents. At least two of the dead were Indonesian domestic workers, while 19 Filipino domestic workers remain missing, according to a refugee association for migrant women. Hong Kong hosts about 368,000 domestic workers, mostly women from low-income Asian countries, often living in crowded conditions with their employers.
This fire is Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze. The disaster has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 people. Authorities say residents had reported fire hazards during renovations, including concerns about the flammable green mesh covering scaffolding. Last year, the city’s Labour Department told residents that the estate had “relatively low fire risks.”
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency arrested eight people, including an engineering consultant, a scaffolding subcontractor, and an intermediary. Earlier, police also detained two directors and another engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, a firm responsible for ongoing maintenance at Wang Fuk Court. They face manslaughter charges for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards that blocked windows.
The fire has left the city in shock, highlighting the dangers of unsafe building practices and the importance of proper fire safety measures. Authorities continue their investigation while communities come together to support victims and mourn those lost.