A deadly inferno in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district killed at least 36 people and left hundreds missing after flames ripped through multiple residential towers Wednesday. The fire overwhelmed emergency crews as residents reported failed alarm systems and little warning before the blaze spread.
Officials said 279 people remain missing and 29 were hospitalized, including seven in critical condition. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee confirmed that “Police and the Fire Services Department have already set up a dedicated investigation team to investigate the cause of the fire.” The blaze began around 2:50 p.m. at Wang Fuk Court and intensified quickly, reaching a No. 5 alarm — the highest emergency level — by 6:22 p.m. Photos showed bamboo scaffolding and numerous floors engulfed in flames as thick smoke poured from the high-rises.
The Fire Services Department reported that nine victims were taken to area hospitals. Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung announced that one firefighter, Mr. Ho, died from injuries sustained in the operation. “I am profoundly grieved at the passing of Mr Ho, who lost his life in the course of an operation. I offer my deepest condolences to his family members,” Tang said.
Survivors described chaotic evacuations. One man, photographed in visible anguish, said his wife was trapped inside. Residents told local reporters that fire alarms never activated. Chan Kwong-tak, an 83-year-old retiree, said, “If someone was sleeping then, they were done.” Former district councillor Herman Yiu Kwan-ho confirmed similar reports, noting residents only received warnings when a security guard knocked on doors, leaving many with almost no time to escape.
As emergency teams continued searching the damaged towers, local authorities opened temporary shelters at the Kwong Fuk Community Hall and Tung Cheong Street Community Hall. The scope of the devastation has raised serious questions about safety compliance, emergency preparedness, and building oversight in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
Investigators are now working to determine how quickly the blaze spread and why the alarm systems reportedly failed. Recovery efforts are expected to continue into the coming days as families await news of missing loved ones and officials assess the full extent of the tragedy.
