Deadly Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Claims 36 Lives, Residents Trapped

Hong Kong: The death toll in Hong Kong’s devastating Wang Fuk Court fire has risen sharply to 36, making it one of the deadliest residential fires in the city in decades.

The blaze, which started on bamboo scaffolding amid ongoing maintenance, spread rapidly across seven of the complex’s eight towers in Tai Po, leaving nearly 4,800 residents at risk. Among the victims was a 37-year-old firefighter who died in the line of duty, highlighting the extreme danger faced by emergency personnel.

Authorities deployed hundreds of firefighters, police, and paramedics, using 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances to evacuate around 700 people to temporary shelters. Windy conditions and falling debris complicated rescue operations, while many elderly residents struggled to escape. Many residents remain trapped inside the buildings as crews continue to battle flames and clear debris.

Officials have yet to determine the exact cause but are investigating how the fire spread so extensively. The incident has raised urgent questions over scaffolding safety and building maintenance regulations, with citizens and advocacy groups calling for stricter oversight to prevent future tragedies.