Hong Kong fire death toll hits 83, over 280 missing in city's worst disaster in 70 years

Hong Kong: Firefighters continued battling a massive blaze on Thursday spanning seven high-rise residential towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, as the death toll rose to 83, with over 280 people still reported missing in the city's worst disaster in 70 years.

Authorities reported 76 injuries, including 15 critical and 28 serious cases. Among the dead was a firefighter. Although raging flames on four of the seven blocks have been brought under control, fires persisted on the upper floors of the remaining 31-story buildings Thursday evening.

Rescue operations are ongoing with firefighters working to extract victims from the charred buildings. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, is under criminal investigation. Officials affirm over 280 individuals remain unaccounted for amidst the devastation.

The government has established a HKD 300 million (about USD 43 million) relief fund for those affected, with hundreds evacuated to temporary shelters.

Built in 1983, Wang Fuk Court consists of eight towers with 1,984 apartments housing about 4,600 people, many elderly, according to the 2021 census. All towers were undergoing major renovation and wrapped in green mesh and bamboo scaffolding at the time.

Over 300 fire engines and rescue vehicles have been deployed, with drones aiding heat monitoring. Police arrested three men linked to the renovation, two directors and an engineering consultant, on manslaughter charges, as investigations indicate highly flammable styrofoam around elevators fueled the fire’s rapid spread.

Officials noted the mesh netting and sheeting used did not meet fire safety standards. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has ordered inspections of all major renovation sites in public housing estates, pledging greater safety oversight.

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences and called for comprehensive efforts to extinguish the fire, rescue trapped residents, treat the wounded, and support affected families.

This incident marks Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in recent decades, surpassing a 1996 blaze in Kowloon that killed 41 after lasting about 20 hours.

With inputs from AP