Hong Kong fire leaves 44 dead, 279 hundreds still missing.
President Xi Jinping expressed deep sorrow over the tragic high-rise fire, urging authorities to act swiftly, save lives, support victims, and fully extinguish the devastating blaze.
Beijing/Hong Kong: A devastating fire that swept through multiple high-rise towers in Hong Kong has left the city reeling, with the death toll climbing to 44 and at least 279 people still unaccounted for. The scale of the tragedy, confirmed by Chinese state media on Thursday, marks one of the worst urban fire disasters in Hong Kong’s history and has shaken residents across the territory and mainland China.
The blaze erupted on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex undergoing renovation. Within minutes, flames surged through several tower blocks, trapping hundreds of residents in their homes. Emergency services arrived quickly but faced immense challenges as smoke and fire raced through newly installed construction materials. The intensity of the blaze and the complexity of the buildings’ structure left firefighters battling under near-impossible conditions.
Hong Kong Police announced the arrest of three men linked to the construction company responsible for the renovation works. The suspects—two directors and one project consultant, aged between 52 and 68—are being investigated for suspected manslaughter. Police said preliminary findings suggest gross negligence in the installation of materials used during the ongoing construction, which may have accelerated the spread of the fire and led to higher casualties. Authorities emphasised that a full forensic analysis is underway and more arrests have not been ruled out.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee addressed the public on Thursday, calling the fire a heartbreaking tragedy that has left hundreds of families in anguish. He confirmed that 279 residents remain missing, and at least 45 others are injured—many of them suffering from smoke inhalation, burns, or injuries sustained while attempting to escape. Hospitals across the city have mobilised additional staff as families anxiously wait for updates.
Residents described scenes of chaos and panic as the fire spread. Some people leaned out of windows shouting for help, while others attempted to make their way down smoke-filled stairwells. Videos shared online showed bright orange flames engulfing entire sides of the buildings, lighting up the night sky as debris fell to the streets below. For many, the terrifying speed of the fire’s advance left little time to react.
The tragedy reached Beijing almost immediately. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences on Wednesday night after receiving initial reports. He instructed authorities to take all necessary measures to extinguish the blaze, save as many lives as possible, and provide urgent medical care to the injured. Xi emphasised that the safety of Hong Kong residents is of paramount importance, calling for a coordinated central-local effort to support the region during this crisis.
Xi also directed the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, as well as the Liaison Office in Hong Kong, to work closely with Chief Executive John Lee. He asked officials to convey his sympathies to the victims’ families and ensure that those affected receive timely assistance, including shelter, counselling, and financial support. His message underscored Beijing’s commitment to backing Hong Kong as it navigates the aftermath of the disaster.
Search-and-rescue operations continued throughout the day and into the night, with firefighters combing through charred hallways and apartment units one floor at a time. Many areas remain too unstable to enter, and rescuers are using drones and heat-detection equipment to locate potential survivors. Officials warn that the number of casualties may rise as the search progresses.
As Hong Kong confronts the grim reality of this catastrophe, the focus remains on rescuing those still trapped, supporting grieving families, and uncovering what went wrong. For now, the city mourns together—united in shock, sorrow, and a hope that more survivors can still be found.