HONGKONG: The death toll from a massive fire that engulfed a residential housing estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has risen to 128, officials confirmed on Friday, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in more than seven decades. Dozens remain missing as emergency crews continue to comb through the charred remains of Wang Fuk Court, where flames tore through eight high-rise buildings on Wednesday.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang extended his condolences to affected families, noting that many people are still unaccounted for. The fire, which began on Wednesday afternoon, spread with extraordinary speed, fueled in part by bamboo scaffolding and plastic construction mesh that had wrapped the buildings during a large-scale renovation. Authorities are now investigating whether the renovation materials worsened the disaster.
After burning for more than 40 hours, the blaze was declared “largely extinguished” at 10:18am on Friday. Firefighters continued to recover bodies throughout the morning. An AFP reporter observed four body bags being removed within just 15 minutes. Nearby, at a Sha Tin mortuary, vehicles arriving with corpses underscored the scale of the tragedy as families prepared for the painful task of identification.
Hospitals across Hong Kong remain strained, with more than **50 people still admitted**, including 12 in critical and 28 in serious condition. Among those desperately seeking loved ones was a woman surnamed Wong, who has been searching hospitals for her missing sister-in-law and the sister-in-law’s twin. “We still cannot find them,” she said through tears.
Eyewitness accounts described an inferno that consumed multiple blocks in minutes. “One building went up in flames and it spread to two more blocks in less than 15 minutes,” said a 77-year-old resident surnamed Mui.
The disaster is Hong Kong’s deadliest since a 1948 fire killed at least 135 people. Officials have launched multiple investigations, including a corruption probe into the renovation works and the arrest of three men suspected of negligently leaving foam packaging at the site. Some residents reported they never heard fire alarms and had to alert neighbors manually.
Authorities have pledged **HK$300 million (US$38.5m)** in aid, opened nine shelters, and begun inspecting all housing estates undergoing major construction. Community support efforts have surged, with volunteers providing supplies, food, clothing, and psychological care — so many donations that organizers asked the public to pause contributions.
As investigations continue, Hong Kong has also suspended activities related to its December 7 legislative electi
