Post by : Rameen Ariff

Hong Kong raised the death toll from its worst fire in nearly eight decades to 128, while around 200 people remain missing after a massive blaze swept through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po. Authorities confirmed on Friday that rescue operations had officially ended, but searches for missing residents continue as families wait anxiously for updates.

The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the eight-tower housing estate, which is home to more than 4,600 residents. The entire structure was covered in bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh due to ongoing renovation work, allowing the flames to spread rapidly through multiple towers. The tragedy has now become Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948.

Officials reported that at least 79 people were injured, including 12 firefighters. One firefighter remains in serious condition as medical teams continue to provide urgent care. Thick smoke, extreme heat, and collapsing scaffolding created intense challenges for rescue teams, who fought through the night to reach residents trapped on upper floors.

Authorities revealed that fire alarms in the buildings were not functioning properly at the time of the disaster. Police have arrested three officials from the construction company responsible for the renovation project, accusing them of manslaughter for using unsafe, flammable materials, including foam boards that blocked windows and accelerated the fire’s spread.

Families have been desperately searching for loved ones. Outside one of the temporary shelters, a grieving mother held her daughter’s graduation photograph as she waited for news. “She and her father are still not out yet,” she said, tears flowing as she described the moment firefighters were unable to contain the blaze. “They didn’t have water to save our building.”

Most of the victims were found in two towers, though firefighters managed to rescue survivors from several other blocks. The Indonesian consulate confirmed that two of the deceased were Indonesian domestic workers. Hong Kong is home to nearly 368,000 domestic helpers from low-income Asian countries, many of whom live inside the high-rise apartments where they work.

The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 residents in 2017. Both disasters involve scrutiny over building materials, safety standards, and government oversight. Police carried out a raid on the office of Prestige Construction, which had been carrying out maintenance work for more than a year. Officers seized documents, computers, mobile phones, and employee lists as part of an ongoing investigation.

In response to the disaster, Hong Kong’s leadership announced a HK$300 million relief fund to support affected families. Several major companies in China also pledged donations. There is renewed discussion within the government about replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding with metal structures to improve safety at building sites.

As night fell on the second day after the fire, dozens of evacuees chose to sleep inside a nearby mall instead of official shelters, hoping to leave space for families in more desperate situations. People wrapped themselves in blankets and set up makeshift bedding outside restaurants and convenience stores. Volunteers distributed food, water, toiletries, and warm clothing.

Hong Kong, known for its dense high-rise housing estates and extremely high property prices, has long faced criticism over living conditions and urban safety. The scale of this tragedy has intensified public anger and could deepen frustration with authorities already under pressure for tightening political and national security controls.

Both the Hong Kong government and China’s central leadership have moved quickly to show concern, signalling how seriously they view the disaster and its potential impact on public trust.

#Asia News