A devastating blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong — leaving at least 55 people dead and hundreds unaccounted for as flames consumed nearly all towers.
The fire erupted around 2:51 p.m. local time during exterior renovation works. Flames began on bamboo scaffolding wrapped in green mesh and quickly spread across seven of the estate’s eight high-rise blocks.
Emergency crews mobilised over a thousand firefighters and ambulance personnel to battle the blaze, but intense heat, heavy smoke and structural collapse hinder rescue efforts — complicating evacuation of elderly residents, families and even pets sheltered inside.
Authorities have taken three people into custody — two directors and one consultant from the contractor handling the renovation — on suspicion of manslaughter, amid mounting concern that flammable materials and substandard safety practices accelerated the disaster.
Rescue and relief operations continue overnight as families wait anxiously for news of loved ones, and displaced residents are being housed in temporary shelters while investigations begin into what has become the city’s deadliest residential fire in decades.
📸 Ctto
sources: SCMP, Aljazeera & The Guardian
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