A massive fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has left at least 44 people dead and 45 injured, according to the Hong Kong Police Force. Authorities have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter as the investigation intensifies.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee confirmed that the fire was gradually being brought under control after hours of continuous work by firefighters. However, around 279 residents remain unaccounted for. Twenty-nine victims are still hospitalised, including seven in critical condition.
Lee said that while three buildings no longer show visible flames, four others continue to burn intermittently. He assured that all government departments have been mobilised to support firefighting efforts, rescue operations, medical care, emotional assistance for families, and a full-scale investigation.
The blaze was first reported at 2:51 p.m. on Wednesday. As the flames spread aggressively across the high-rise complex, authorities raised the alert to a No. 5 alarm by 6:22 p.m. Rescue work continued through the night, with the fire spreading from one building to seven others within the eight-tower estate.
The Hong Kong Hospital Authority activated its Major Incident Control Centre to coordinate emergency response. Meanwhile, the Education Bureau deployed psychologists to temporary shelters to assist affected students, and several schools in the region will remain closed.
At shelters, personnel from multiple departments, including Home Affairs, Civil Aid Service, Care Teams, and police, worked together to support displaced residents. Community solidarity was also visible, with volunteers delivering supplies and offering help. One local resident arrived near midnight with a cart full of water bottles to distribute to exhausted firefighters and emergency staff.
Rescue operations remain active as authorities work to control the remaining hotspots and locate missing residents.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

High-rise fire in Tai Po kills 44, injures dozens; three arrested as rescue efforts cont.

Deadly Hong Kong Blaze Claims 44 Lives

High-rise fire in Tai Po kills 44, injures dozens; three arrested as rescue efforts cont.

November 27, 2025 | 09:03 IST