Tragedy Strikes in Hong Kong: Major Apartment Fires Claim Lives

Sun Nov 30 2025 00:34:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A catastrophic fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court has resulted in at least 44 casualties and hundreds missing, prompting a fierce response from emergency services. Investigations are underway as the city grapples with its deadliest fire in decades.

A significant fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong, leading to the deaths of at least 44 people and leaving over 270 missing. The blaze affected several high-rise towers and has been classified as a level five alarm. Authorities have initiated arrests in connection with suspected negligence, as investigations continue into the cause of the rapid spread of flames.

A devastating fire has ripped through several high-rise tower blocks in Hong Kong, killing at least 44 people, making it the deadliest in more than 60 years. More than 270 have been reported missing and thousands of residents are in evacuation shelters.

Pictures show several buildings ablaze, and thick smoke billowing into the air, dominating the Chinese territory's skyline.

As night fell, the fire was still burning hours after it was first reported, with more than 760 firefighters deployed to the scene.

Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire, according to local media reports, and an investigation has been launched. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed condolences to victims, including a firefighter who died in the line of duty, state media report.

The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, at 14:51 local time on Wednesday (06:51 GMT). Wang Fuk Court consists of eight tower blocks, each 31 storeys high. Seven have been affected by the fire, Tai Po district councillor Mui Siu-fung told BBC Chinese.

The Hong Kong fire department has classified the blaze as a level five alarm - the highest in severity. Within 40 minutes of first being reported, it was declared a level four, but by 18:22, about three and a half hours later, the level was raised again.

The death toll rose significantly early on Thursday morning, from 13 to 36 people. Just after midnight, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee confirmed 279 people were missing.

Several emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate residents who were evacuated, the government said. At least 900 people are taking shelter in the temporary facilities. A hotline for the public to ask about casualties has been set up by Hong Kong police.

Police arrested three men aged between 52 and 68 on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to the deadly blaze. Investigators are looking into the alleged actions, or failures to act, of the firm's top officials, suggesting negligence played a role in the fire's devastating impact.

The cause of the fire is still unclear; however, authorities note that it seems to have spread quickly - and to neighbouring buildings - through the bamboo scaffolding used in renovations.