Drama in Hong Kong: A fire devastates a residential complex, at least 36 dead and 279 missing

A large fire struck a housing complex in Tai Po, north of Hong Kong, on Wednesday evening, causing the death of at least 36 people according to local authorities. Emergency services, overwhelmed by the scale of the flames, are still unable to reach certain towers where residents are still trapped. More than 279 people remain untraceable as the disaster continues to spread.

Course of events

The head of the Hong Kong executive, John Lee, announced this provisional assessment during a conference held overnight, specifying that 29 people were hospitalized, including seven in critical condition. The fire broke out in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, made up of seven towers, at least five of which were enveloped in thick black smoke visible from a great distance.

Witnesses speak of violent rumblings attributed to the collapse and burning of bamboo scaffolding which surrounded the buildings. The flames, projected several dozen meters, darkened the sky and made the intervention of firefighters extremely dangerous. The causes of the incident have not yet been specified.

Emergency measures

Given the seriousness of the situation, the fire was classified as level 5, the highest in the alert hierarchy, implying increased mobilization of rescue teams. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences and called for all possible means to be used to limit the number of victims.

On the ground, police say they are unable to confirm whether residents are still trapped inside, stressing that firefighters cannot enter the burning towers.

As night fell, the fire remained out of control, its orange reflections eerily illuminating the neighborhood. Preventive evacuations were launched in neighboring residences, and a portion of the nearby highway was closed to traffic. Authorities recommend that residents stay indoors, seal windows and doors, and avoid the area.