Death toll rises to 94 in Hong Kong residential building fire: fire department

John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, announced on Thursday a series of measures in response to the deadly Tai Po blaze, including the establishment of a HK$300 million ($38.6 million) relief fund for affected residents, handing out a cash subsidy of HK$10,000 to the displaced families, providing 1,800 apartments to accommodate the affected, and creating a road map for replacing bamboo scaffolding in the city.

In a media briefing on Thursday afternoon, Lee said that all government celebratory events would be canceled or postponed and officials would suspend attendance at public activities to focus on relief efforts. The government will arrange memorial activities, including flying flags at half-staff on government buildings, holding memorial services and setting up condolence books, with details to be announced later.

The fire broke out at 2:51 pm on Wednesday in the eight-building Wang Fuk Court estate, which was undergoing renovations and has nearly 2,000 units. Flames quickly spread across seven of the eight towers. After the blaze burned for more than 27 hours, Lee announced that it had been brought "under control".

The fire had left 75 people dead and 77 injured by 10 pm on Thursday, according to the Fire Services Department. Speaking at a news briefing earlier on Thursday, Lee said that 279 people were missing.

Police arrested two male directors of a registered contractor responsible for the maintenance works, Wang Yip Construction Co, and one male engineering consultant early Thursday on suspicion of manslaughter. They are currently detained for investigation.

Accompanied by several senior officials, Lee inspected the scene of the blaze on Thursday afternoon and received a briefing from Deputy Director of Fire Services Yeung Yan-kin.

Meeting with the media after the inspection, Lee said the authorities will immediately begin a citywide inspection of all residential estates that are under renovation to check the safety of the scaffolding and construction materials. He also announced that authorities will create a road map for replacing the city's bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding.

Of the 1,800 apartments secured for displaced residents, 1,000 are youth hostel and hotel rooms throughout the city, which will provide temporary housing for one to two weeks. The number of participating hotels is increasing.

A social worker will be assigned to provide dedicated support to each affected household.

A working group from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday morning to assist in Hong Kong's disaster relief efforts. The delegation is led by the office's deputy head, Nong Rong. Xu Qifang, the office's executive deputy director, also departed for Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon.

Zhou Ji, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Nong visited the Tai Po Community Center and the Prince of Wales Hospital to offer sympathy to fire victims and meet with rescue members and relief personnel.

The Liaison Office pledged full support for the SAR government's ongoing rescue efforts, casualty care and investigation of the blaze, expressing confidence in Hong Kong's unity during this difficult time.

Lee said the SAR government has submitted a list of needed supplies to mainland authorities, including items such as drones, high-reach ladders and conveyor belts. He also expressed hope for prompt assistance from the mainland in areas such as medical support and laboratory testing materials.

Lee expressed gratitude for the support from the Chinese mainland, noting that the eight drones and two long-endurance drones provided by Shenzhen had offered effective assistance in the rescue efforts.

"We share in the collective grief and must stand strong together through this difficult time," Lee said. "Let us channel our sorrow into resilience, maintaining social stability and working toward recovery."

The Tai Po District Office opened a 10th temporary shelter on Thursday at the Hong Kong Children and Youth Services Jockey Club Tai Po Integrated Children & Youth Services Center, with more than 500 residents already staying at the other nine temporary shelters opened since Wednesday.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption established a special task force on Thursday, and has launched a full investigation into the incident.

A total of eight Legislative Council election forums scheduled from Thursday to Sunday will be suspended. Lee said the government will "comprehensively assess the situation after completing the first phase of coordination before making any decisions regarding election arrangements".

Local and mainland businesses have pledged donations for the Tai Po fire relief efforts. Major contributions include an initial HK$100 million in emergency aid from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, HK$80 million from the Li Ka Shing Foundation and HK$50 million from The Community Chest of Hong Kong.

Local residents also volunteered to help at the site and provide supplies. Among them was a 70-year-old whose surname is Tso and who has lived in the community for four decades. "I just want to help as much as I can," said Tso.

A male survivor was rescued from the 16th-floor staircase of Wang Tao House, one of the seven fire-affected blocks of Wang Fuk Court, at 6:45 pm on Thursday.

The devastating fire that swept through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on Wednesday, causing heavy casualties, marks one of the most tragic incidents in the SAR's recent history. The catastrophe has highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive review of safety protocols in high-density urban environments like Hong Kong.

President Xi Jinping immediately extended his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed his sympathy to those affected by the disaster on Wednesday. He urged the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR to support the SAR government in making every effort to put out the fire, carry out search and rescue operations, treat the injured, and provide post-disaster support.

Xi also demanded that relevant departments and localities provide necessary assistance to the SAR government to strive to minimize the casualties and losses.

This underscores the deep concern of the central government for the well-being of Hong Kong people, and is a reminder that the central authorities are always ready to stand behind the SAR and offer a helping hand whenever it is in need.

The SAR government, led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, has fully mobilized resources to extinguish the fire, carry out rescue operations, treat the injured, and provide assistance and emotional support to families. A full investigation is also being carried out. The arrest of three individuals from a construction company in connection with the fire signals a commitment to accountability.

The tragedy should serve as a catalyst for reevaluating building safety standards and construction practices, particularly the use of bamboo scaffolding, which is still a common practice in Hong Kong, as this facilitated the rapid spread of the fire. There have been at least three fires involving bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong this year, according to the SAR's Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims. The government's earlier decision to phase out bamboo scaffolding in public projects is a step in the right direction, but this policy needs to be accelerated and expanded to include all construction projects in the city.

Furthermore, the incident raises questions about the fire resistance of materials used in building exteriors. It is suspected that some of the materials on the exterior walls of the high-rise buildings did not meet current fire resistance standards, enabling the fire to spread unusually fast. This calls for an urgent review and, if necessary, a tightening and enforcing of building codes to ensure that all major materials used in construction are noncombustible and can withstand high temperatures.

Incorporating fire safety into new developments and restoration work is also essential. This includes the installation of sprinkler systems, and the implementation of smoke detection technologies in both new and existing structures. Urban planners should also consider fire safety in the design of public spaces, ensuring that there are adequate escape routes, clear signage and accessible fire hydrants.

Creating safe urban spaces requires a proactive and collaborative approach in which all stakeholders are committed to prioritizing safety and well-being. By being prepared, cities can better protect their communities from the devastating impacts of fires and other emergencies.

So in addition to these structural and regulatory considerations, there is a need for enhanced public awareness and preparedness. Community engagement initiatives can help build a culture of safety and vigilance, and fire drills and safety education can empower residents to respond more effectively to such emergencies.

As Hong Kong mourns the loss of life and grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, it is crucial to channel collective grief into action. By strengthening safety regulations, updating construction practices, and enhancing emergency preparedness, the city can honor the memory of those who lost their lives and build a safer future for all its residents.

HONG KONG -- Firefighters had rescued 55 people in the major fire in the residential complex Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

He added that cash grants will be given to households affected by the fire in the residential complex on Thursday evening.

The Hong Kong Alumni Association of Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University has established a dedicated WeChat group for Tai Po Fire Emergency Support so its alumni in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region can assist fire victims.

In a Wednesday night post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the alumni association announced the establishment of the group chat, calling on its more than 20,000 SYSU alumni in Hong Kong to provide practical support, including relief supplies, temporary accommodation, and medical consultation.

The group chat connects its members to assistance resources with the HKSAR government, ensures the smooth transmission of emergency information, and cooperates with the government's rescue work arrangements, the post said.

"We will remain engaged with the progress of the SAR government's rescue operations and will promptly disseminate information on official relief channels and alumni-led support initiatives," the alumni association said.

The Red Cross Society of China announced on Thursday a donation of 2 million yuan ($276,000) for emergency rescue and humanitarian assistance in response to the deadly fire that engulfed a residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.

The organization said it will provide further support based on disaster relief needs.

The blaze broke out on Wednesday evening and has killed at least 55 people as of Thursday afternoon.

HONG KONG -- The death toll in a major fire that tore through a residential area in Hong Kong from Wednesday afternoon had risen to 65, said the Fire Services Department (FSD) on Thursday.

The FSD has dispatched a total of 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, and used drones to monitor heat levels to prevent rekindling. The department has extinguished flames in four of the affected buildings and brought fire under control in the other three.

The residential area Wang Fuk Court consists of eight buildings, all of which were encased by green mesh and scaffolding due to a major renovation project. Three men responsible for the renovations were arrested earlier for suspected manslaughter, as the police investigation pointed to flammable materials covering the buildings as a possible cause for the rapid spread of fire.

The five-alarm fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has been brought under control after a grueling 10-hour battle. The buildings' exterior is blackened, with thick smoke still billowing skyward as firefighters tackle sporadic outbreaks on higher floors. The death toll rose to 44 as of Thursday morning.

HONG KONG -- Three men have been arrested for suspected manslaughter in a fire that broke out in Wang Fuk Court, a residential area in Tai Po of Hong Kong, on Wednesday afternoon, the Hong Kong Police Force said at a press briefing on Thursday.

The fire had left 55 people dead by Thursday afternoon, the police said.

Police investigation suggested that the protective nets, waterproof canvas and plastic cloth covering the buildings might fall short of fireproof standards. The police also found that polyurethane foam was used to seal windows of elevator lobbies in an unaffected building in the residential area, and pointed to the flammable material as a possible cause for the rapid spread of fire.

The three men were executives of a construction company responsible for installing these materials for the renovation of the buildings. The suspects aged between 52 and 68 include two company directors and a project consultant whose gross negligence was believed to have caused heavy casualties.

President Xi Jinping expressed condolences on Wednesday for the victims of a major fire at a residential area in the Tai Po area of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and for the firefighter who died in the line of duty.

Xi extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster, and called for all-out efforts to put out the blaze and minimize the casualties and losses.

The huge blaze engulfed several residential buildings in a housing estate in Tai Po, New Territories, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in significant casualties.

Following the incident, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, promptly learned of the information about the fire rescue efforts and the casualties.

He urged the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR to support the SAR government in making every effort to put out the fire, carry out search and rescue operations, treat the injured, and provide post-disaster support.

He also demanded that relevant departments and localities provide necessary assistance to the SAR government to strive to minimize the casualties and losses.

The SAR government activated its emergency rescue mechanism, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR has established an emergency task force to maintain close communication with the SAR government and fully support the rescue efforts.

Rescue operations were underway.

The death toll continued to rise after the blaze broke out, with at least 13 dead and many others injured. Many residents were reported to have been trapped in their homes, with seven out of the total eight buildings on the residential estate on fire and a plume of smoke engulfing the sky and visible from far away. The fire continued to escalate into the night, with burning objects falling and explosions at the scene.

The blaze, which started at around 2:51 pm, was upgraded to a No 4 alarm at 3:34 pm, and it was further upgraded to a No 5 alarm, the second highest, at 6:22 pm.

Wang Fuk Court, currently under renovation, is a housing complex of eight buildings and nearly 2,000 residential units.

Nine people were found dead at the scene and four others were later confirmed dead after being sent to hospitals. Among the dead was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho. Six people were still in serious condition. The injured were sent to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has extended his deepest condolences regarding the firefighter who lost his life while performing his duties and to the families of the deceased.

Lee said in a Facebook post that he had immediately activated an emergency monitoring and support center, received reports from the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department, and instructed the emergency and fire departments to make every effort in firefighting and rescue work.

The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government sent 767 personnel to the scene.

The department said seven 32-story buildings, which all have bamboo scaffolding erected for renovation, were on fire. The conditions were extremely hazardous, with debris continuously falling and the number of distress calls increasing, which necessitated the escalation of the fire to a No 5 alarm, the department told media in an on-site briefing.

The Hong Kong government has opened five temporary shelters to accommodate affected residents, and a secondary school has also been opened to house evacuated residents. Several hundred people gathered at the temporary shelters, where bread, water and biscuits were being distributed.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn

HONG KONG -- Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee said in the small hours on Thursday that a fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential area in Tai Po of Hong Kong, has been gradually brought under control after firefighters' tireless efforts.

Speaking at a press briefing, Lee said that the death toll from the fire has risen to 36, with 279 people still missing. Twenty-nine remained hospitalized, including seven in critical condition. Lee said he was deeply saddened by the situation.

Lee said that from the outside, three buildings now showed no visible flames, while four others displayed only sporadic fire spots.

Lee stressed that the HKSAR government will mobilize all resources to fully support the rescue operations. He has instructed departments and units to carry out comprehensive work, including extinguishing the fire, rescuing trapped residents, treating the injured, providing assistance and emotional support to families, and conducting a full investigation into the accident.

The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government was notified of the accident at around 2:51 pm local time on Wednesday. Due to the fierce blaze, the department raised the alert to No 5 alarm fire at 6:22 pm local time. Rescue operations were still ongoing.

Wang Fuk Court consists of eight residential buildings, and the fire once spread from one building to seven others.

The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has activated its Major Incident Control Center.

President Xi Jinping expressed condolences on Wednesday for the victims of a major fire at a residential area in the Tai Po area of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and for the firefighter who died in the line of duty.

Xi extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and those affected by the disaster, and called for all-out efforts to put out the blaze and minimize the casualties and losses.

The huge blaze engulfed several residential buildings in a housing estate in Tai Po, New Territories, on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in significant casualties.

Following the incident, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, promptly learned of the information about the fire rescue efforts and the casualties.

He urged the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR to support the SAR government in making every effort to put out the fire, carry out search and rescue operations, treat the injured, and provide post-disaster support.

He also demanded that relevant departments and localities provide necessary assistance to the SAR government to strive to minimize the casualties and losses.

The SAR government activated its emergency rescue mechanism, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR has established an emergency task force to maintain close communication with the SAR government and fully support the rescue efforts.

Rescue operations were underway.

The death toll continued to rise after the blaze broke out, with at least 36 killed and many others injured. Many residents were reported to have been trapped in their homes, with seven out of the total eight buildings on the residential estate on fire and a plume of smoke engulfing the sky and visible from far away. The fire continued to escalate into the night, with burning objects falling and explosions at the scene.

The blaze, which started at around 2:51 pm, was upgraded to a No 4 alarm at 3:34 pm, and it was further upgraded to a No 5 alarm, the second highest, at 6:22 pm.

Wang Fuk Court, currently under renovation, is a housing complex of eight buildings and nearly 2,000 residential units.

Nine people were found dead at the scene and four others were later confirmed dead after being sent to hospitals. Among the dead was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho. Six people were still in serious condition. The injured were sent to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has extended his deepest condolences to the firefighter who lost his life while performing his duties and to the families of the deceased.

Lee said in a Facebook post that he had immediately activated an emergency monitoring and support center, received reports from the Security Bureau and the Fire Services Department, and instructed the emergency and fire departments to make every effort in firefighting and rescue work.

The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government sent 767 personnel to the scene.

The department said seven 32-story buildings, which all have bamboo scaffolding erected for renovation, were on fire. The conditions were extremely hazardous, with debris continuously falling and the number of distress calls increasing, which necessitated the escalation of the fire to a No 5 alarm, the department told media in an on-site briefing.

The Hong Kong government has opened five temporary shelters to accommodate affected residents, and a secondary school has also been opened to house evacuated residents. Several hundred people gathered at the temporary shelters, where bread, water and biscuits were being distributed.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn