Devastating Fire Claims Lives and Sparks Outrage in Hong Kong

Thu Nov 27 2025 20:14:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A massive fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court complex has resulted in at least 65 fatalities, with hundreds still unaccounted for. Ongoing investigations raise questions about safety protocols and accountability amidst public anger.

Firefighters are currently searching for hundreds of missing individuals after a catastrophic blaze erupted in the Wang Fuk Court high-rise complex in Hong Kong, resulting in at least 65 confirmed deaths. The fire is the deadliest in the city in over 70 years and has ignited outrage amid concerns over construction safety and the efficacy of fire alarms, which residents claim were disabled during ongoing renovations. Authorities have arrested three construction executives on suspicion of manslaughter, as investigations unfold to determine accountability. The incident has sparked widespread calls for a review of fire safety regulations in the region.

Firefighters are still searching for hundreds of missing people after a massive fire tore through multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong.

At least 65 people died in the blaze - the city's deadliest in more than 70 years - at Wang Fuk Court's complex, which is home to thousands.

The tower blocks had been undergoing extensive renovations - and while the exact cause for the fire is unclear, police say materials on the outside of the buildings may have facilitated its spread.

Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, and Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee has vowed to launch a comprehensive investigation.

The fire, which tore through seven of eight tower blocks in Tai Po district on Wednesday, is now basically under control, Lee said. It started at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) on Wednesday, with flames and thick clouds of grey smoke seen billowing from the towers, dominating the city's skyline.

By 18:22 local time, officials upgraded the fire to a level five - the most serious category.

Firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, was among those killed in the blaze. He was found collapsed at the scene about 30 minutes after contact with him was lost. Ten other firefighters are also injured, the fire department said.

The fierce heat of the blaze, as well as dangerous debris and risks posed from collapsing scaffolding, has hampered rescue efforts, but the fire department has so far rescued 55 people.

Despite the complex conditions at the scene, the firefighters' rescue efforts will not stop, Lee told a news conference on Thursday evening.

More than 270 people remain unaccounted for, while 70 people are injured.

The mood in Hong Kong has shifted from shock to anguish, as questions grow regarding who should be held accountable for the blaze.

Anger has been building on social media, especially after several residents revealed in interviews that they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire broke out.

Kiko Ma, 33, who has an apartment in the housing complex, told the BBC that some of the fire alarms had been turned off during the renovation, as construction workers regularly used fire escapes to enter and exit the buildings.

Reports of their complaints last year over renovation plans have also resurfaced, and are circulating widely online. Residents had taken issue with high renovation fees and questioned whether the materials used complied with fire-safety regulations.

These materials may have allowed the fire to spread faster, police said. The Independent Commission Against Corruption has announced a criminal investigation concerning the renovation works.

As rescue efforts continue, experts have voiced concerns over the sufficiency of current fire safety measures, reflecting a broader need for regulatory review in the aftermath of this tragic incident.