Hong Kong Tower Blaze Claims 44 Lives; Hundreds Still Missing

A massive fire that erupted in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong continues to burn, with the death toll rising to 44, while hundreds of residents remain missing. The devastating incident is being described as one of the worst urban fires the city has seen in decades.

According to AFP, the blaze broke out on Wednesday in Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po’s northern district that was undergoing renovation. The fire quickly spread through bamboo scaffolding wrapped around several buildings, engulfing multiple towers within minutes. The estate consists of eight 31-storey buildings with a total of 1,984 apartments.

Firefighters battled the flames through the night. One firefighter lost his life during the operation, and by Thursday morning, several hotspots were still burning. Authorities have evacuated nearly 900 residents to temporary shelters, while dozens remain hospitalized, some in critical condition.

Hong Kong, home to 7.5 million people, is one of the world’s most densely populated regions, with more than 7,100 people per square kilometer, increasing the risk of major urban disasters.

Investigators say the exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but materials used during the building renovation are under scrutiny. Police have arrested three members of a construction company on suspicion of gross negligence. Early findings show that the external scaffolding was covered with plastic sheeting, mesh, and packing foam — materials that do not meet fire-safety standards and may have accelerated the spread of the flames.

When the fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon, winds blowing at 14 km/h likely helped intensify the blaze.