Those were the last words Mr. Chung said to his wife after a huge fire broke out in their high-rise public housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district. At approximately 15:00 local time (07:00 GMT), panic struck when his wife called, unable to escape their apartment with their cat. Rushing home from work, Mr. Chung arrived to find the 31-story building engulfed in flames, smoke billowing into the sky. Firefighters battled the inferno for nearly 24 hours across seven tower blocks, resulting in at least 128 lives lost and about 300 individuals reported missing, including Mr. Chung's wife.
Residents shared their experiences outside the burning buildings, all revealing that no alarms alerted them to the fire. Mr. Chung and his brother spent the night on the street, continually seeking updates from firefighters, who could provide none. Exhausted and terrified, Mr. Chung refrained from calling his wife again, fearing the worst as the situation deteriorated.
Authorities are investigating the fire's cause, which likely relates to recent renovations made using flammable materials. This tragedy marks the deadliest fire in six decades in Hong Kong, leaving a community devastated and demanding answers.
Among the many missing is 40-year-old Ms. Fung’s mother, last known to be hiding with a neighbor. As hope dwindles, families continue to search for their loved ones, challenging city officials on rescue efforts and building safety. With nearly 40% of the complex's residents aged over 65, many faced significant barriers in escaping.
The heartbreaking wait for news continues, with individuals pleading for information through social media and pressuring the authorities for accountability and safety reforms. As the situation develops, Mr. Chung embodies the resilience of families grappling with loss, clinging to the hope of finding his wife regardless of the outcome.
Residents shared their experiences outside the burning buildings, all revealing that no alarms alerted them to the fire. Mr. Chung and his brother spent the night on the street, continually seeking updates from firefighters, who could provide none. Exhausted and terrified, Mr. Chung refrained from calling his wife again, fearing the worst as the situation deteriorated.
Authorities are investigating the fire's cause, which likely relates to recent renovations made using flammable materials. This tragedy marks the deadliest fire in six decades in Hong Kong, leaving a community devastated and demanding answers.
Among the many missing is 40-year-old Ms. Fung’s mother, last known to be hiding with a neighbor. As hope dwindles, families continue to search for their loved ones, challenging city officials on rescue efforts and building safety. With nearly 40% of the complex's residents aged over 65, many faced significant barriers in escaping.
The heartbreaking wait for news continues, with individuals pleading for information through social media and pressuring the authorities for accountability and safety reforms. As the situation develops, Mr. Chung embodies the resilience of families grappling with loss, clinging to the hope of finding his wife regardless of the outcome.
