Hong Kong, China — A devastating fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the Wang Fuk Court, a government-subsidized housing complex in the Tai Po district, leading to at least 13 fatalities and leaving several residents trapped. The blaze quickly engulfed multiple high-rise towers, prompting a significant emergency response from fire and rescue teams throughout the evening.
The Hong Kong Fire Services Department reported handling a total of 28 casualties, including nine people who were pronounced dead at the scene. According to Chou Wing-yin of the department, six others were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition, and four of them later succumbed to their injuries. As thick black smoke billowed from the 31-story buildings, firefighters continued to battle the flames into the night.
Witnesses described harrowing scenes as residents evacuated and gathered on a nearby pedestrian walkway, watching the inferno consume their homes. The towers, which house approximately 2,000 apartments, were surrounded by bamboo scaffolding—a common sight in Hong Kong construction—adding to the perilous situation as flames and smoke billowed into the skyline.
Emergency crews were deployed in large numbers, with numerous fire engines and ambulances responding to the emergency. The situation escalated quickly, leading the fire department to issue a No. 4 alarm, the second-highest level of emergency response, shortly after the fire was first reported at 2:51 p.m.
The Tai Po district, near the border with mainland China, is home to about 300,000 residents and is known for its dense housing conditions. The high-rise complex had been undergoing significant renovation work, raising questions about safety protocols. Officials are currently investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.
As the emergency response unfolded, major disruptions were reported on nearby roads. The Hong Kong transport department announced the closure of a key stretch of Tai Po Road, diverting several bus routes to accommodate firefighting efforts.
This incident follows another tragic high-rise fire in Kowloon last year that claimed five lives, highlighting ongoing concerns about fire safety in densely populated residential areas of the city. Authorities continue to assess the situation and determine the exact number of individuals potentially trapped inside the complex.