The Wang Fuk Court high-rise fire in Tai Po has left 128 confirmed dead, about 200 people missing and more than 70 injured. The blaze began Nov. 26 and was extinguished Nov. 28 after roughly 2,300 firefighters responded. Officials say exterior construction materials and scaffolding coverings likely helped the flames spread; investigations and recovery efforts, including arrests on suspicion of manslaughter, are ongoing.
128 Dead, About 200 Missing After Devastating Hong Kong High-Rise Fire
The confirmed death toll from the Wang Fuk Court high-rise fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has risen to 128, while roughly 200 people remain unaccounted for and more than 70 others have been reported injured. The blaze, which began on Nov. 26 at about 2:15 p.m., was declared extinguished on Nov. 28 after an intensive response.
Incident and response
The fire started in one block of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex and rapidly spread to adjacent towers. Around 2,300 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze and carry out search-and-rescue operations. Emergency teams established temporary shelters and support services for evacuated residents in the Tai Po district.
Damage, casualties and identification efforts
The estate comprises eight blocks with approximately 2,000 apartments and is home to an estimated 4,600 residents, many of them elderly. Authorities reported that only 39 victims had been formally identified so far, while recovery and identification operations continue amid a large-scale recovery effort.
Possible causes and ongoing investigations
Investigators say materials attached to the towers' exterior, including coverings used with construction scaffolding, likely played a role in how quickly the flames spread between blocks. Residents had previously raised concerns about the flammability of scaffolding mesh, and officials also reported that not all building alarms sounded at the start of the blaze. Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the origin and spread of the fire.
Legal and official actions
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire, and additional inquiries are examining potential corruption related to building works and materials used on the estate. Senior officials emphasized priorities of extinguishing the fire, rescuing and supporting survivors, and then conducting a full inquiry into the incident. As one official put it, "The priority is to extinguish the fire and rescue the residents who are trapped. The second is to support the injured. The third is to support and recover. Then, we'll launch a thorough investigation."
Background
The Wang Fuk Court development has been occupied since 1983 under a subsidized home-ownership scheme. Local authorities continue to coordinate recovery, victim identification and care for displaced residents as investigations proceed.
Help us improve.
