Post by : Saif Rahman

Hong Kong is grappling with a devastating calamity as a massive blaze engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, resulting in at least 55 fatalities and nearly 300 individuals reported missing. The inferno, igniting on Wednesday afternoon, raged for over 24 hours, transforming multiple high-rise towers into infernos of smoke and flames. The incident has sparked considerable outrage in the city, especially after authorities attributed the disaster to "gross negligence" by a construction firm that allegedly employed unsafe materials during renovation activities.

Firefighters faced intense heat and thick smoke while battling to rescue residents trapped on the upper stories. The complex houses over 4,600 residents and consists of eight high-rise towers, each 32 stories tall. Many families were ensnared as flames swiftly overtook bamboo scaffolding and construction mesh surrounding the buildings.

Emotional scenes unfolded as individuals desperately sought their loved ones. A 51-year-old resident named Wan observed the destruction of his home of 20 years, exclaiming, "There’s nothing left. What are we supposed to do?" Another resident, Ng, wept as she searched for her missing daughter and husband, clutching a photo from her daughter's graduation. Reports indicated that water access was severely limited in the initial stages of the fire, exacerbating the chaos.

Authorities disclosed that one firefighter was confirmed among the deceased, with several others in critical condition at local hospitals. Approximately 900 individuals have been relocated to temporary shelters, while online documents have circulated listing missing persons with sorrowful notes like, "Mother-in-law in her 70s, missing," and, "27th floor, room 1: He is dead."

In response to the tragedy, police launched an investigation, raiding the office of the maintenance firm early Thursday. They uncovered that certain windows had been improperly sealed with non-compliant foam materials. The plastic mesh and scaffolding utilized may have further fueled the blaze's rapid spread. Consequently, three officials from the construction firm—two directors and an engineering consultant—have been arrested on suspicions of manslaughter.

Police superintendent Eileen Chung stated that authorities possess "reason to believe" that the construction company acted with blatant negligence, endangering thousands. This blaze represents the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948, when a warehouse fire claimed 176 lives.

The tragedy has drawn parallels to the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, where unsafe materials and government mismanagement led to 72 deaths. Survivors of that incident extended their support to Hong Kong's residents, reassuring them with, "You are not alone."

Pressure mounts on Hong Kong’s government, with residents sharing videos of construction workers smoking in close proximity to scaffolding during ongoing renovations, raising significant safety concerns. President Xi Jinping has called for an "all-out effort" to minimize casualties and contain the fire’s impact. Major roads remain blocked, bus routes have been altered, and schools in the vicinity have been closed due to thick smoke.

For many long-time residents, this tragedy signals not just personal loss but a stark reminder of the persistent housing crisis in the city. High-rise apartments often house large populations, and numerous buildings are undergoing renovation to address aging infrastructure. Wang Fuk Court, in use since 1983 and part of a subsidized housing initiative, was in the midst of HK$330 million in maintenance, with residents contributing substantial financial input.

As rescue teams persist in their efforts, families across Hong Kong are anxiously waiting for news about their missing loved ones. This catastrophe has profoundly affected the community, igniting demands for accountability and improved safety standards to avert future disasters.

#World #World News