Hong Kong's Worst Fire Tragedy in Decades
The death toll from Wednesday's devastating apartment fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong has risen to 146 victims, making it one of the deadliest blazes in the city's history. Rescue teams continue their painstaking search through the burnt-out buildings as the community comes together to mourn the overwhelming loss.
Rescue Efforts and Investigation
Disaster victim identification teams have been working meticulously through the Wang Fuk Court complex since the fire began on Wednesday. Chief Officer Cheng Ka-chun reported that search teams have discovered bodies both inside apartment units and on the roofs of the buildings.
The search operation has been significantly hampered by poor visibility within the damaged structures. "It is so dark inside, and because of the low light, it is very difficult to do the work, especially in places away from the windows," Cheng explained to reporters while still wearing his protective gear.
Despite the challenging conditions, authorities have confirmed the buildings remain structurally sound. The rescue team has so far examined four of the seven blocks in the complex.
Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the Hong Kong police casualty unit, revealed that recent searches uncovered an additional 30 bodies, including 12 that firefighters had previously located but been unable to recover. The tragedy has left 100 people still unaccounted for and 79 injured.
Community Mourning and Response
A steady stream of mourners has been visiting the site to pay their respects, creating an ever-growing makeshift memorial filled with flowers, handwritten notes, and personal tributes. On Sunday, hundreds of people queued to add their bouquets to the collection, with many bowing in prayer or observing moments of silence.
Lian Shuzheng, one of the many visitors, expressed that the disaster "really serves as a wake-up call for everyone, especially with these super high-rise buildings."
The devastating blaze has prompted immediate action from authorities. The Hong Kong government ordered the immediate suspension of work on 28 building projects undertaken by Prestige Construction + Engineering Company, the contractor responsible for the Wang Fuk Court renovations.
Government officials cited "serious deficiencies in site safety management" including the extensive use of foam boards to cover windows during building repairs. The construction company did not respond to requests for comment on Sunday.
National Safety Implications
In response to the tragedy, China's ministry of emergency management announced a nationwide inspection of high-rise buildings to identify and remove fire hazards. The comprehensive review will focus on bamboo scaffolding, non-flame-retardant safety nets, and critical firefighting equipment including hydrant systems and automatic sprinklers.
The Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, consisting of eight 31-story buildings constructed in the 1980s, had been undergoing renovations with bamboo scaffolding draped in nylon netting. Authorities are investigating whether fire safety codes were violated during these works.
Jeffery Chan, a civil servant who came to pay his respects, captured the community's sentiment: "It's heartbreaking. As a Hongkonger, seeing people in the place where we live lose their families, lose everything in just one night – if you put yourself in their shoes, it is unbearable."
This tragedy now stands as Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, when a warehouse blaze claimed 176 lives. The community continues to support survivors, many of whom are being housed in emergency shelters and city hotels while authorities work on longer-term housing solutions.
