Fire in Hong Kong claims 36 lives, 279 reported missing

Tengrinews.kz – Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has reported that a major fire in a residential complex, which engulfed several apartment buildings, has claimed 36 lives, while 279 people remain missing.

This was reported on Wednesday, November 26, by the HK01 portal.

According to officials, another 29 people were hospitalized, seven of whom are in critical condition.

Earlier reports mentioned 13 dead and 15 injured.

The fire broke out during the day in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district and quickly spread through the construction scaffolding and protective netting covering the building facades.

Photos circulating on social media show flames bursting from the windows of several buildings and thick smoke rising as night fell. Firefighters extinguished the blaze using ladder trucks, and authorities raised the alarm level to the maximum — level 5.

The Fire Services Department deployed 128 specialized vehicles and 57 ambulances. According to department director Andy Yeung, one firefighter is among the dead, and another is being treated for heat exhaustion.

Police received numerous reports of people trapped inside the buildings. Tai Po district council member Law Hiu-fung told TVB that most of the victims are likely elderly residents.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged Hong Kong authorities to make every effort to extinguish the fire and minimize the damage.