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Families of the many individuals still unaccounted for after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades searched hospitals on Friday, while firefighters worked through the remaining apartments of the burning housing complex. The toll has risen to at least 94 fatalities.
The fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly spreading across its eight buildings and inflicting flames that burned fiercely for over 36 hours.
Authorities are now investigating the cause of the blaze, including the role of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh used during extensive renovations around the buildings.
On Friday, workers removed black body bags from the scorched apartments, with an AFP reporter witnessing four in just a 15-minute span. Meanwhile, multiple bodies were delivered to a Sha Tin mortuary, with families expected to arrive later in the day for identification.
The number of missing persons remains unknown, as no updates have been issued since early Thursday. At Sha Tin hospital, Wong, a woman in her late 30s, searched for her sister-in-law and her twin sister, both of whom are still unaccounted for.
“We still haven’t located them, so we’re visiting different hospitals to see if we get any good news,” Wong said tearfully. “We were waiting at Prince of Wales Hospital on the first day, but there was no word. We came back again yesterday.”
As of Friday, over 50 people were hospitalized, with 12 in critical condition and 28 in serious condition. Wong noted that the last contact with the twins was less than an hour before the fire broke out on Wednesday.
A 77-year-old eyewitness, surnamed Mui, recalled seeing one building engulfed in flames that quickly spread to two more, describing how rapidly it escalated. “It was very fast — burning red. I shudder just thinking about it,” he said.
Firefighters reported that they were responding to 25 remaining rescue requests and planned to break into all apartments of the estate by early Friday morning. Some smoke persisted, but officials assured that the blaze was contained to about 2,000 units within the sprawling complex.
This disaster marks the deadliest fire since 1948, when an explosion and subsequent blaze claimed over 135 lives. Although Hong Kong once faced frequent deadly fires, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, improved safety standards have since significantly reduced such incidents.
The city’s anti-corruption agency announced a probe into renovation activities at Wang Fuk Court, just hours after police detained three men suspected of negligently leaving foam packaging at the scene.
Residents revealed that no fire alarms sounded, forcing neighbors to alert each other door-to-door as the flames spread. Following the tragedy, authorities committed to inspecting all major renovation projects in housing estates with urgency. City officials emphasized the need to replace bamboo scaffolding with safer materials.
The confirmed death toll includes a 37-year-old firefighter and two Indonesian migrant domestic workers. In response, the government announced a HK$300 million ($38.5 million) fund to support victims. Seven shelters have been established, and assistance with housing and emergency aid is underway for those displaced.
Furthermore, activities related to the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for December 7 have been put on hold as the city responds to this crisis.
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