In Hong Kong, at least 55 dead in the worst fire in decades
In Hong Kong, at least 55 people have died in the worst fire the Asian financial hub has seen in decades. Emergency services continue to battle the flames and search for over 250 missing persons in a complex of skyscrapers devastated by the fire.
The fire has been extinguished in four of the seven affected towers and is under control in three others, according to firefighters who updated the death toll from 44 to 55. Among the victims, 51 died in the fire, while four others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
An impressive chain of solidarity has spontaneously formed around the Wang Fuk Court complex, an eight-building complex undergoing renovation, as noted by AFP journalists. "It's truly touching. The spirit of Hong Kong is that when someone is in trouble, everyone comes together to support them," said Stone Ngai, 38, one of the organizers of an improvised aid station.
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, mentioned early Thursday that 279 people were still unaccounted for, but rescue teams later reported that some of the missing had been located.
Police are investigating how the skyscrapers became engulfed in massive flames that produced a significant black cloud over one of the world's most densely populated areas. They have arrested three men after discovering flammable materials left behind during maintenance work that allowed the fire to spread rapidly, suspecting them of gross negligence.
Firefighters battled the blaze throughout the night and were seen dousing the smoldering buildings on Thursday. The fire broke out Wednesday shortly before 3 PM (07:00 GMT) in the Tai Po district in the northern part of the city. Likely exacerbated by bamboo scaffolding and synthetic materials used in the renovation, the fire quickly spread to seven of the eight towers in the complex, which opened in 1983 and houses 1,984 apartments.
More than 1,200 people have been mobilized for rescue operations, according to local authorities. One firefighter is among the deceased. The Indonesian consulate also reported the deaths of two nationals, domestic workers. A government spokesperson informed AFP that 61 people remain hospitalized, with 15 in critical condition.
Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of the fire service, emphasized the difficulty of rescue operations in high temperatures and particularly the challenge of accessing certain floors.
"The fire spread so quickly. I saw a fire hose trying to save several buildings, and I thought it was far too slow," said a resident named Suen.
"We were knocking on doors, alerting neighbors to evacuate… That’s how we experienced the situation," he added.
Mr. Yuen, 65, who has lived there for over 40 years, explained that many of his neighbors were elderly and had mobility issues. "Some people didn't even know there was a fire and had to be warned by phone by their neighbors," he shared. "I am devastated!"
More than 900 evacuees were welcomed into temporary shelters where volunteers provided moral support and blankets. People arrived throughout the night to report missing family members, unable to reach them. Some sat in shock, staring at their phones with red eyes, hoping for news of their loved ones.
John Lee announced on Thursday that all major renovation sites would be inspected. Fires have long been a scourge in Hong Kong, especially in poorer neighborhoods. However, enhanced safety measures in recent decades have made them less frequent.
However, the risk is heightened by the fact that Hong Kong, with its 7.5 million residents, has an average density of over 7,100 people per square kilometer, with some urbanized areas experiencing density up to three times higher. Given the limited territory, recent decades have seen a surge in the construction of high-rise towers with over 50 floors.
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the victims' families and called for all efforts to "extinguish the fire and minimize human and material losses," according to state broadcaster CCTV.
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