Hong Kong high-rise fire pushes death toll to 55 as search continues
A massive blaze at a high-rise complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed 55 lives and left hundreds unaccounted for. Authorities say renovation-related scaffolding and insulation materials accelerated the fire’s spread, prompting one of the city’s rare level-5 alerts as rescue teams struggle to reach missing residents.
The death toll from the high-rise fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district rose to 55 on Wednesday, while police and emergency teams continue searching for 279 people still missing. The blaze erupted around midday in an eight-building complex housing roughly 4,000 residents and expanded quickly due to renovation work and bamboo scaffolding covering the exterior.
Bamboo scaffolding blamed for rapid spread
Firefighters reported that the combination of bamboo frames and foam-based insulation wrapped around the buildings played a major role in allowing the flames to climb vertically and overwhelm several towers. Among the 68 people transferred to hospitals, 16 remain in critical condition and 25 are classified as serious. One firefighter is among the confirmed fatalities.
Detentions over suspected negligence
Hong Kong police detained two project managers and a consulting engineer from the renovation firm on suspicion of “manslaughter.” Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee said investigators have “reason to believe gross negligence contributed to the speed at which the fire advanced.” Security Secretary Chris Tang also noted that initial findings show the insulation material and protective netting around the scaffolding failed to meet expected safety standards.
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Emergency response and regional impact
Authorities issued a level-5 fire alarm — the highest on Hong Kong’s scale — for the first time in 17 years. More than 140 firefighting vehicles and over 800 personnel were deployed. Two nearby complexes were evacuated as a precaution, with around 900 residents relocating to temporary shelters set up across eight facilities. Roads around Tai Po remain closed as the Hong Kong Transport Department coordinates with emergency teams.
Condolences and government actions
Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed condolences to the Hong Kong administration and instructed the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office to support local authorities. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed sorrow for the rising casualty figures and convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to oversee the government’s response and ensure assistance for affected families.
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