HONG KONG (AP) - A tragic fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has claimed the lives of at least 128 individuals, marking it as one of the city's deadliest blazes. The fire ignited on Wednesday afternoon and continued burning until Friday, resulting in a chaotic scene that left many in mourning and left hundreds without homes.
In the aftermath, a makeshift memorial emerged outside the damaged buildings, where residents and visitors alike laid down bouquets of white roses, carnations, and lilies. Many individuals bowed their heads in prayer or left handwritten notes among the flowers, showcasing the deep sense of community during this time of tragedy.
Thousands flocked to the site to pay their respects and provide assistance to victims. Many residents who survived the catastrophic fire are currently housed in temporary emergency shelters or hotels, while authorities are working on long-term housing solutions for those displaced. The complex, which comprised eight 31-story buildings, housed nearly 2,000 apartments and over 4,600 residents, many of whom are now in urgent need of support.
The fire's rapid spread was attributed to the building's renovations, which involved the use of bamboo scaffolding and polystyrene panels to cover the windows. Authorities have begun an investigation into whether building safety regulations were violated. The Hong Kong government announced the immediate suspension of work on 28 building projects managed by the Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, which undertook the renovations at Wang Fuk Court. The Building Department expressed a lack of confidence in the contractor's ability to maintain site safety.
Three individuals — the directors and an engineering consultant from the construction company — were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter shortly after the fire broke out. While they were released on bail, they were later re-arrested by Hong Kong's anti-corruption authorities alongside eight others, including scaffolding subcontractors and renovation project managers. The investigation has focused on serious deficiencies in site safety management practices by the contractor, which have raised questions regarding gross negligence.
The fire initially started on lower-level scaffolding and quickly spread as the foam insulation caught fire and blew out windows. High winds exacerbated the situation, causing flames to jump from building to building, ultimately resulting in seven of the eight buildings catching fire. Over 2,000 firefighters worked tirelessly for approximately 40 hours to extinguish the flames.
Investigations revealed that some fire alarms within the complex did not function during tests, raising additional concerns about safety standards in high-rise buildings. Authorities are currently facing the daunting task of identifying 44 remaining bodies out of the 128 recovered, with approximately 150 people still unaccounted for. The deceased includes foreign nationals, with reports confirming the deaths of two Indonesian migrant workers and a Filipino domestic helper among the victims.
In response to the fire tragedy, China's Ministry of Emergency Management announced an immediate nationwide inspection of high-rise buildings to identify and eliminate potential fire hazards. The focus will include the assessment of bamboo scaffolding and non-flame-retardant materials as well as fire safety systems such as hydrants and alarms.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, the concerted efforts of authorities aim to address the safety concerns raised and to find permanent accommodations for those who have lost everything in the fire.
