One day after a massive fire tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong, smoke still rose from the charred towers early Thursday, with full containment yet to be achieved. The death toll has climbed to 55, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in nearly seven decades. At least 45 people suffered severe injuries, while 279 remain missing.
Police detained three suspects linked to the incident. China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other countries expressed condolences over the scale of the tragedy.
Firefighters reported that flames in four buildings are now under full control. In the Wangfok complex, four of eight towers burned completely, while the rest sustained extensive damage.
At 00:02:16, residents gathered near the site, trying to comprehend the loss.
“We bought this flat over 20 years ago. Everything we owned was here. Now all of it turned into ash,” one resident said while surveying the ruins.
Casualties continue to rise in what officials describe as the most devastating fire in three decades. Authorities confirmed that several victims were Indonesian nationals, including domestic workers. With many still unaccounted for, emergency teams fear the toll may rise further. At least 26 rescue teams are currently searching through debris.
Police have arrested several senior officials from the construction company suspected of involvement. Thirteen schools in the area announced temporary closures.
Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee expressed deep sorrow. Chinese President Xi Jinping offered condolences and allocated 2 million yuan to the Red Cross for emergency aid. The United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and other nations also issued statements of sympathy.
Read more: Deadly Fire Sweeps Hong Kong Residential Block, Four Killed Including Firefighter
The housing complex had more than 4,600 residents living across 2,000 flats in its eight high-rise buildings.
