Hong Kong Apartment Fire Death Toll Rises to 55, 279 Still Missing

Worst Fire Disaster in Hong Kong Since Handover to China
Blaze Believed to Have Spread via Bamboo Scaffolding

As of November 26 (local time), the death toll from the high-rise apartment fire in Hong Kong has risen to at least 55. In addition, 279 people are still reported missing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hong Kong authorities have arrested three building maintenance supervisors on charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fire. They are also inspecting the safety of apartment complexes undergoing large-scale renovations across Hong Kong.

On the afternoon of the 26th, a fire broke out in a high-rise apartment complex in the Tai Po area of northern Hong Kong, spreading red smoke across the vicinity. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The fire broke out at around 2:52 p.m. on November 25 in Wong Fuk Court, a 31-story residential high-rise in the Tai Po area of northern Hong Kong. According to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, as of 3 p.m. on November 26, the death toll had increased to 55. Of these, 51 were found at the scene, while four others were transported to hospitals for treatment but ultimately died. Among the deceased was one firefighter who had been involved in extinguishing the blaze. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that two Indonesian nationals working as domestic helpers in Hong Kong also died in the fire.

Meanwhile, 72 people who were injured have been taken to hospitals for treatment, including eight firefighters. More than 200 residents are believed to be trapped inside and are currently missing. John Lee, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, stated that the number of missing persons has reached 279.

Hong Kong authorities have deployed tour buses to evacuate residents. Currently, about 900 residents of the apartment complex are staying at eight temporary shelters, including nearby schools.

The affected apartment complex consists of eight buildings, with the fire spreading to seven of them. In four buildings, most of the flames were brought under control after about 10 hours, but firefighting operations were still underway in the remaining three buildings even 24 hours after the fire broke out.

This fire is reported to be the worst disaster of its kind in Hong Kong since the territory was handed back from Britain to China in 1997. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences to the family of the deceased firefighter and the victims' families, and has called for efforts to minimize the damage.

Wong Fuk Court is an aging public apartment complex housing 2,000 households (about 4,800 people). The Tai Po area, where the complex is located, borders mainland China and has a population of about 300,000.

The apartment complex has been undergoing large-scale renovations since July last year. Authorities believe the fire spread due to bamboo scaffolding (temporary structures installed around buildings for high-rise work) and safety nets used for construction on the exterior of the apartments, and are investigating the incident. While metal frames are typically used for scaffolding, bamboo scaffolding is still common in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government announced in March that it would phase out bamboo scaffolding.