Hong Kong fire officials anticipate concluding search and rescue operations shortly as firefighters have mostly contained the blaze at a high-rise apartment complex, resulting in a death toll of at least 94 individuals. The Fire Services Department of Hong Kong reported over 70 injuries, including 11 firefighters, making this fire one of the deadliest incidents in the city’s recent history. Rescuers equipped with flashlights are meticulously inspecting the charred towers at the Wang Fuk Court complex, a densely populated area in the Tai Po district near the city’s border with the mainland. Firefighters are focusing on a few remaining apartments and systematically checking all units across the seven towers to ensure no additional casualties. Authorities anticipate full extinguishment of the fire in the upcoming hours.
Deputy director of the Fire Services Department, Derek Armstrong Chan, mentioned that the firefighting operation is nearing completion, with efforts now shifted towards preventing any flare-ups of debris and embers. The search-and-rescue phase is the next priority. The exact number of missing or trapped individuals remains uncertain, with reports of 279 people losing contact early Thursday. Subsequent updates on the missing persons and the occupancy of the damaged buildings are pending.
Rescuers continue to brave high temperatures as they ascend floor by floor, conducting thorough searches and prioritizing speedy rescues. Wong Ka-wing, deputy director of fire services, emphasized the ongoing rescue efforts, leaving room for the possibility of discovering more injured individuals. Regrettably, one firefighter is among the deceased, and approximately 900 individuals have been relocated to temporary shelters.
Residents, like Lawrence Lee and Winter and Sandy Chung, shared their harrowing experiences during the evacuation, expressing concerns for their loved ones and properties amidst the chaos. Three individuals, including construction company executives, have been apprehended on suspicion of manslaughter, with authorities investigating potential construction negligence that may have exacerbated the fire’s rapid spread. Police raids on the construction company’s office, Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, have yielded crucial evidence for further inquiry.
An expert in fire safety highlighted the unusual nature of the incident, attributing the fire’s extensive reach to potential building materials not meeting necessary fire resistance standards. The fire’s origin on external scaffolding, coupled with windy conditions, facilitated its swift propagation across the complex. President Xi Jinping of China conveyed condolences over the tragic loss of life and urged proactive measures to limit casualties and damages. This disaster marks one of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s recent memory, overshadowing previous incidents like the 1996 commercial building fire that claimed 41 lives in Kowloon.
