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At least 13 people have died and dozens more injured in a massive fire that engulfed several residential buildings in Hong Kong, forcing hundreds to evacuate.
The blaze erupted Wednesday afternoon, November 29, 2023, at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, quickly spreading across the exterior of the buildings. The incident highlights the challenges of fire safety in densely populated urban environments and the risks associated with construction work on high-rise structures.
According to a statement from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, officials have confirmed 13 fatalities. Nine deaths were confirmed at the scene, while six individuals transported to hospitals later succumbed to their injuries. More than 10 others were injured.
A firefighter, identified only by his surname Ho, was among those killed in the incident. Approximately 700 residents have been evacuated to temporary shelters, and a registration point has been established for those seeking information about missing family and friends. As of 8:30 p.m. local time, over 200 people had registered.
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences over the loss of life and the impact of the fire, urging authorities to make every effort to control the blaze and minimize further casualties.
Firefighters were first alerted to the blaze at Wang Fuk Court at 2:51 p.m. local time. The fire alarm was elevated to Level 4 – the second-highest level – at 3:34 p.m. The flames quickly spread to bamboo scaffolding and netting surrounding the residential buildings, engulfing the exterior and sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
As night fell, authorities raised the alert level to 5, the highest possible, as the fire continued to burn intensely.
A total of 128 fire engines and 57 ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and crews have been battling the blaze for hours. Thick black smoke continues to billow from the 31-story buildings, which house nearly 2,000 apartments and approximately 4,800 residents.
According to reports from AFP, firefighters have been unable to confirm whether any residents remain trapped inside the buildings, and access to the interior remains limited.
Lo Hiu-fung, a Tai Po district council member, told local television station TVB that he believes many of those still inside the building are elderly residents.
TVB reported that the Wang Fuk Court complex was undergoing major renovations. The housing project is part of a government initiative to promote homeownership with subsidies, and residents began moving in back in 1986.
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Source: cna
