Hong Kong witnessed one of its worst tragedies in decades as a massive fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex claimed 128 lives, with authorities confirming on Friday that fire alarms in the affected buildings had malfunctioned during the disaster.
Rescue Operations and Rising Death Toll
Security Secretary Chris Tang announced that the search for survivors has been completed, but warned that the number of victims could still increase as identification of the deceased continues. The death toll currently stands at 128 people, with 108 bodies recovered from the burned towers and four others succumbing to injuries in hospital.
Nearly 1,000 police personnel were deployed for rescue efforts that spanned two grueling days. Rescue crews worked through smoke-blackened hallways and unstable debris, forcing their way into hundreds of apartments to locate missing residents. Officials prioritized 25 emergency calls from units they could not initially reach, many located on higher floors where the flames raged the longest.
System Failures and Safety Concerns
Authorities revealed alarming safety lapses during a news conference, confirming that fire alarms were not functioning properly when the blaze erupted on Wednesday afternoon. Residents reported no fire alarms during the initial outbreak, relying instead on neighbors banging on doors to alert others.
Investigators found highly flammable foam panels near elevator lobbies and suspect that some exterior materials lacked proper fire-resistance standards. The fire is believed to have started in bamboo scaffolding and plastic netting installed for major renovation works at the complex.
Police have arrested three men, including directors and a consultant from the construction company overseeing renovation, on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence.
Aftermath and Ongoing Relief Efforts
The devastating blaze required more than a thousand firefighters nearly 24 hours to extinguish completely. The fire quickly spread across seven of the eight high-rise blocks at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po.
Current statistics reveal the scale of this tragedy:
- 128 confirmed deaths with identification ongoing
- Approximately 200 residents still missing
- 79 people injured, including 12 firefighters
- One firefighter in serious condition
- Nearly 900 evacuees moved to temporary shelters
Wang Fuk Court, built in the 1980s and home to around 4,800 mostly elderly residents, had been undergoing major structural repairs. Authorities have pledged to immediately inspect all housing estates under renovation to ensure materials meet required safety standards.
This tragedy now stands as Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades, surpassing a 1996 commercial building fire in Kowloon that killed 41 people. As the rescue phase concludes, a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine accountability and prevent such disasters from recurring.
