Hong Kong Blaze Leaves 55 Dead and Hundreds Missing, Firm Accused of Negligence

Post by : Saif Nasser

Hong Kong is facing one of its darkest moments in decades after a massive fire swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, killing at least 55 people and leaving close to 300 residents unaccounted for. The city, known for its high-rise living and tight urban spaces, has not seen a disaster of this scale in 77 years.

Firefighters battled the flames for more than a full day, fighting through thick smoke and dangerous heat to reach residents trapped in the upper floors of the 32-storey towers. Many of the buildings were wrapped in green construction mesh and bamboo scaffolding, which burned rapidly and made rescue efforts even more difficult.

The tragedy has caused deep shock across the city. Families displaced from the burning buildings gathered at shelters, searching desperately for news of loved ones. In one heartbreaking scene, a woman held her daughter’s graduation photo as she cried and waited for information. “She and her father are still not out yet,” she said. “They had no water to save our building.”

The government said that more than 4,600 people live in the eight-block complex, which contains about 2,000 apartments. Because the estate is so densely populated, many fear that the number of casualties could rise even higher.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee called the fire a major emergency and announced a HK$300 million relief fund to support the affected families. With public anger growing, officials also said they are considering replacing the city’s traditional bamboo scaffolding with safer metal systems.

Police quickly launched an investigation into how the fire spread so quickly. They focused on Prestige Construction and Engineering Company Limited, the contractor responsible for renovation work on the complex. Officers raided the firm’s office and seized bidding documents, employee lists, computers, and mobile phones.

Police superintendent Eileen Chung said investigators had “reason to believe” that the company acted with gross negligence. They said unsafe materials, protective mesh, plastic coverings, and even foam-sealed windows may have turned the buildings into fire traps. As part of the investigation, two company directors and an engineering consultant were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

China’s President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out effort” to minimise casualties. More than 1,200 firefighters and over 300 fire engines have been deployed to the site. One firefighter is confirmed dead, and dozens of survivors remain in critical condition in hospitals.

The renovation project at the estate had been ongoing for a year and cost HK$330 million. Each family had to contribute up to HK$180,000. Now, the city’s anti-corruption agency has opened a separate inquiry into possible graft linked to the renovation contract.

Residents described the moment the fire began. Harry Cheung, who lived in the complex for more than 40 years, said he heard a large explosion and then saw flames shoot up one of the towers. Videos circulating online showed flames spreading from one building to another as scaffolding and netting burned away.

People across Hong Kong have been using online platforms to list missing family members. A shared document includes messages like “Mother-in-law in her 70s, missing” and “one boy and one girl missing.” One entry tragically reads: “27th floor, room 1: He is dead.”

The disaster has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, where unsafe cladding and poor oversight led to 72 deaths. Many Hong Kong residents now fear that the same mix of weak regulation, aggressive cost-cutting, and crowded living conditions has created a similar risk in many other buildings across the city.

Several Chinese companies, including Xiaomi, Xpeng, Geely, and the charity foundation of Alibaba founder Jack Ma, have announced donations to help the victims.

The fire comes at a sensitive political moment. Hong Kong is preparing for a citywide legislative election in early December, and the tragedy may increase public frustration over housing shortages, poor maintenance standards, and slow government responses.

Tai Po, where the complex is located, is home to around 300,000 people and is typical of Hong Kong’s dense urban living. For many families who lost their homes, the tragedy has taken away not just property but memories, stability, and hope.

#Global News #World News #News #Global Global News world news