Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Hong Kong is reeling from its most devastating fire in three decades after a massive blaze tore through high-rise residential buildings in Tai Po on Wednesday afternoon, leaving at least 36 people dead and hundreds unaccounted for. Authorities say 279 residents remain missing, underscoring the scale of the tragedy and the challenges facing emergency responders.
The blaze, which spread rapidly through several densely-packed towers, overwhelmed residents and firefighters as thick smoke filled stairwells and corridors, trapping many inside their homes. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee confirmed early Thursday that “a firefighter was among the fatalities,” highlighting the dangerous conditions emergency crews faced during rescue efforts.
Hospitals are currently treating 29 injured survivors, while nearly 900 displaced residents have been relocated to temporary emergency shelters as structural checks continue. Officials say rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, with search teams combing through affected floors for survivors and identifying victims.
Beyond the immediate death toll, the incident has raised deeper questions about fire safety in Hong Kong’s high-rise clusters, especially in older residential districts where population density is high and evacuation routes can quickly become compromised.
As investigators begin to assess the cause, the focus remains on accounting for the hundreds still missing—an urgent reminder of how vulnerable tightly packed urban communities are when disaster strikes.
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