13 Killed as Massive Fire Sweeps Hong Kong High Rise Building

Hong Kong: Thirteen people have died after a fire swept through several high-rise residential blocks in a housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, the Fire Services Department said on Wednesday.

Authorities confirmed that nine victims were found dead at the scene, while four others died in hospital. Around 700 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.

The blaze, which began mid- afternoon, spread rapidly along bamboo scaffolding and construction netting surrounding the buildings. By nightfall, officials raised the alarm to level five, the highest category. Footage from the area showed multiple towers burning simultaneously, with flames and thick smoke pouring from windows.

Lo Hiu-fung, a Tai Po District Council member, told local broadcaster TVB that many of those trapped were believed to be elderly residents.

Bamboo scaffolding remains widely used in construction and renovation across Hong Kong, though the government announced earlier this year that it would begin phasing it out in public projects due to safety concerns.