94 Dead and Approximately 250 Missing in the Worst Fire in Hong Kong in Decades

SadaNews - The death toll from the worst fire in Hong Kong in decades has risen to at least 94 people, as rescue teams continue their efforts to extinguish the flames and search for approximately 250 missing persons within the residential complex, the majority of which has been consumed by the fire.

A previous toll had indicated that at least 83 people had died.

A government spokesperson in Hong Kong reported, according to Agence France-Presse, that rescue workers treated 76 injured individuals, including 11 firefighters.

Investigations have begun to determine the causes of this disaster, which authorities state is the worst in the city, which is under Chinese administration, in nearly 80 years, including the potential role of bamboo scaffolding.

On the day following the fire outbreak, rescue services announced on Thursday afternoon that the fierce flames ravaged four of the eight residential buildings. Fires in three other buildings were brought under control, while one building in the complex remained untouched by the flames.

Hong Kong Police Deputy Chief Eric Chan stated at a press conference that "it is necessary to expedite the complete transition to metal scaffolding."

The police are investigating the spread of the massive fire among the residential skyscrapers in this area, considered one of the most densely populated regions in the world.

Among the dead is a 37-year-old firefighter.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption in Hong Kong stated in a release, "In light of the significant impact the fire has had on public opinion, a task force has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into possible corruption in the major renovation project of the Wang Fuk residential complex in Tai Po."

The police announced the arrest of three individuals after finding flammable materials during maintenance work, which led to the rapid spread of the fire. According to the police, they are suspected of "gross negligence."

The fire broke out on Wednesday in the Tai Po area in the north of the city. The flames, likely fueled by bamboo scaffolding and synthetic materials used in the renovation, engulfed seven of the eight towers in the complex, which was opened in 1983 and comprises 1984 apartments.

According to authorities, more than 1,200 people participated in the rescue operations. The Indonesian consulate also reported that two Indonesian nationals, both domestic workers, were killed.

Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Armstrong Chan highlighted the difficulty of rescue operations in the extremely high temperatures, particularly the challenges of accessing certain floors.

Throughout the night, shelters received individuals reporting the disappearance of family members. Some were sitting in a state of shock, staring with tearful eyes at their mobile phone screens, awaiting news about their loved ones.

Fires have long been a problem in Hong Kong, especially in impoverished neighborhoods. Safety measures have been reduced in recent decades.

The fire risk is high because Hong Kong, with its population of 7.5 million, has an average population density of over 7100 individuals per square kilometer. This figure triples in more urbanized areas.

Due to the area's limited space, a large number of skyscrapers have been constructed in recent decades, some exceeding 50 stories.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, calling for all possible efforts to be made "to extinguish the fire and reduce human and material losses."

Likewise, Pope Leon XIV expressed his "spiritual solidarity with all those suffering as a result of the fire in Hong Kong, especially the injured and the families of the victims."

This fire is the worst in Hong Kong since 1948 when an explosion followed by a fire resulted in the deaths of 135 people.