Hong Kong: At least 13 dead in fire at multiple buildings
At least 13 people have died in a fire that broke out Wednesday in a residential complex in Hong Kong, authorities reported, while local media, citing police, mentioned that people were trapped inside the burning buildings.
Thick clouds of black smoke enveloped at least five of the eight towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex, located in the Tai Po district in northern Hong Kong, according to an AFP journalist.
Loud cracking noises—possibly from burning bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings—were heard, and massive flames rose high into the sky, the journalist reported.
Firefighters "took care of a total of 28 victims, of which nine were declared dead at the scene. Six others were transported to the hospital in serious condition, among whom four ultimately died," said Chou Wing-yin, an official from the fire services, during a press conference around 8:15 PM (12:15 GMT).
Twenty-three injured people were hospitalized, including six in critical condition and eleven in serious condition, according to hospital authorities.
A 37-year-old firefighter, who had lost contact for about thirty minutes, was found with burns to his face and was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, said fire chief Andy Yeung.
Authorities have not immediately commented on the possible causes of the fire.
- Orange Glows -
They classified the incident as a category five, the highest on the alert scale, which determines the level of emergency response.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to the victims and urged all measures to minimize casualties and human losses.
"Xi Jinping expressed condolences for those who died in the major fire at a residential estate in the Tai Po district of the New Territories in Hong Kong, including the firefighter who died in the line of duty," state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee said he was "deeply saddened" by the incident and assured that all government services were assisting residents affected by the fire.
"It's heartbreaking. We worry about whether there are people trapped inside," said So, a 57-year-old resident of Tai Po, near the disaster site.
Police on the scene told AFP they could not confirm if people were still inside, adding that "firefighters cannot enter" the burning buildings.
As night fell, firefighters continued to battle the blaze, which showed no signs of weakening, with flames visible inside the buildings casting terrifying orange glows around.
The South China Morning Post reported that the police had begun evacuating two buildings from another nearby residential complex.
Authorities have closed sections of a nearby highway.
Hong Kong's fire service advises "local residents to stay indoors, close their doors and windows, and remain calm" and urges the public "to avoid going to the area affected by the fire."
Last month, a fire at scaffolding on a building in Hong Kong's central business district resulted in four injuries.
Hong Kong is home to some of the tallest and most densely populated residential buildings in the world.
Fires have long been a common scourge in Hong Kong, particularly in poorer neighborhoods. However, the strengthening of safety measures in recent decades has made them less frequent.
AFP
