Hong Kong, China – A massive fire broke out in a cluster of high-rise residential buildings in the northeastern Tai Po district of Hong Kong on Wednesday, killing 36 people and leaving 279 missing, in one of the worst disasters to hit the region in recent years, the city’s mayor announced.
According to local authorities, the fire started in one of the residential towers before spreading rapidly to neighboring buildings due to strong winds and flammable building materials, making evacuations more difficult. Firefighters explained that controlling the blaze took many hours because of the towers’ height and the thick smoke that blanketed the entire area.
Emergency services said dozens of residents tried to escape via internal stairwells, but heavy smoke and power outages on some floors hampered evacuations, while others were forced to take shelter on their balconies while awaiting rescue. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from surrounding tower blocks as a precaution.
The mayor stated that search operations are still ongoing to find the missing persons, confirming that authorities have deployed drones and special rescue units to reach the upper floors that are difficult to access.
He added that initial investigations indicate a possible electrical fault in one of the corridors caused the fire, but stressed that the final results will be announced after the investigations are completed.
Hospital officials explained that dozens of injured people are currently being treated for burns and smoke inhalation, including serious cases receiving intensive care.
Despite its advanced infrastructure, Hong Kong is experiencing growing concerns about safety standards in older, densely populated buildings, particularly in high-density residential areas like Tai Po. The government has pledged a comprehensive review of safety regulations and early warning systems in apartment buildings to prevent a recurrence of such disasters.
