Wednesday, November 26, 2025

"Death toll at 44, 279 missing as 3 arrested over Hong Kong fire, now burning for 16 hours"

From the South China Morning Post November 27:

Among scores hospitalised, 45 are in serious condition; four of the 7 blocks now under control, with search for survivors starting on lower floors

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What we know so far:

Hong Kong authorities have vowed to launch a full-scale investigation, including criminal probes, into the deadly fire at a Tai Po estate that killed at least 44 people, and left scores injured, 45 in critical condition. Some 279 residents remain missing and more than 900 have taken refuge at eight temporary shelters.

Three people, including two directors and a consultant of the contractor responsible for the renovation of the buildings, have been arrested for gross negligence. They allegedly used non-compliant materials in scaffolding nets and sealed windows with styrofoam, which led to the incident and caused the fire to spread rapidly.

President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences in a late evening statement and called for “all-out efforts” to minimise casualties and losses. After visiting the injured in hospital, city leader John Lee Ka-chiu vowed to investigate the fire and inspect scaffolding nets to ensure compliance....

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videocam

The blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po continues to burn into the evening. Photo: Eugene Lee 

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Flames engulf bamboo scaffolding across seven residential blocks in Wang Fuk Court, with inferno raging for hours

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/canvas/2025/11/26/382f6f95-c1c1-4f19-a2fb-2ca5c684b10e_1ca12636.jpg?itok=8UFvUauW&v=1764174981 

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