Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in Decades Claims 65 Lives
In one of the most devastating tragedies to hit Hong Kong in over seven decades, at least 65 people lost their lives and approximately 300 remain missing after a massive fire engulfed a residential complex on Tuesday. The inferno at Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po district has become the deadliest fire incident Hong Kong has witnessed in modern times.
Construction Firm Negligence Suspected in Fire Origin
Hong Kong police have revealed that three individuals from a construction company have been arrested following preliminary investigations pointing to gross negligence. The arrested include two directors and one engineering consultant from the firm that was conducting maintenance work at the complex.
Police Superintendent Eileen Chung stated, "We have reason to believe that the company's responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties."
Authorities discovered that the buildings were covered with protective mesh sheets and plastic materials that potentially violated fire safety standards. In one unaffected building, windows were found sealed with foam material installed by the construction company, raising serious questions about safety protocols.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
The eight-block Wang Fuk Court complex, home to more than 4,600 residents across 2,000 apartments, became the scene of a massive rescue operation. According to Hong Kong leader John Lee, approximately 279 people remain uncontactable while 900 survivors have been accommodated in eight temporary shelters.
Lee emphasized the government's priorities, stating, "The first priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the trapped residents. The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, we'll launch a thorough investigation."
International Response and Relief Efforts
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an "all-out effort" to combat the blaze and minimize casualties and losses. The Hong Kong government has announced the establishment of a HK$300 million ($38.6 million) relief fund to assist affected residents.
Major Chinese corporations including automakers Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Geely, along with Alibaba founder Jack Ma's charity foundation, have pledged significant donations to support the fire victims. The city's development bureau has also initiated discussions about gradually replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding with safer alternatives as a preventive measure.
The Wang Fuk Court complex, operational since 1983, falls under the government's subsidized home ownership scheme. The tragedy has left residents like 51-year-old Wan devastated, who told Reuters, "All of our belongings were in this building, and now that it has all burned like this, what's left?"
