94 people have died as a result of the Hong Kong fire, and firemen are still fighting the massive inferno
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As firemen resumed their second day of fighting to put out the fire, the death toll from one of Hong Kong's most destructive fires in
modern times has risen to 94.
At the Wang Fuk Court estate, a vast complex that houses thousands of people in Tai Po district, a northern region near the mainland border, emergency personnel with torches were searching flat after flat through the burned towers as thick smoke billowed from windows.
According to AP reporting, firefighters are still working on several apartments and trying to reach every unit throughout the seven towers to make sure there are no more victims.
Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of Fire Services Operations, said, "Our firefighting operation is almost complete," with teams working nonstop "to prevent the debris and embers from flaring up." The search and rescue operation comes next," he clarified.
According to the Express, Hong Kong leader John Lee confirmed early on Thursday, November 27, that contact had been lost with 279 people, but it is unclear how many people are still missing or imprisoned.
Firefighters have been battling the flames since Wednesday afternoon. It is believed that the fire started in construction netting and bamboo scaffolding and quickly spread to seven of the estate's eight blocks.
According to the Express, Hong Kong leader John Lee confirmed early on Thursday, November 27, that contact had been lost with 279 people, but it is unclear how many people are still missing or imprisoned.
Firefighters have been battling the flames since Wednesday afternoon. It is believed that the fire started in construction netting and bamboo scaffolding and quickly spread to seven of the estate's eight blocks.
According to Chan, the fire spread "exceptionally fast" throughout the structures, making it challenging for rescue personnel to enter. He informed reporters that "debris and scaffolding were falling from upper floors."
"There are also other reasons like high temperature, darkness ... (and) emergency vehicle access was blocked by fallen scaffolding and debris, making our access to the building very difficult."
The Fire Services Department reports that in addition to the 94 fatalities, over 70 persons were injured, including 11 firefighters. Overnight, about 900 individuals were relocated to emergency housing.
In a telegram sent to the bishop of Hong Kong on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV expressed his grief over the fire and offered prayers for the injured, their loved ones, and rescue personnel.
"There are also other reasons like high temperature, darkness ... (and) emergency vehicle access was blocked by fallen scaffolding and debris, making our access to the building very difficult."
The Fire Services Department reports that in addition to the 94 fatalities, over 70 persons were injured, including 11 firefighters. Overnight, about 900 individuals were relocated to emergency housing.
In a telegram sent to the bishop of Hong Kong on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV expressed his grief over the fire and offered prayers for the injured, their loved ones, and rescue personnel.
Lawrence Lee, a local, worriedly awaited word about his wife, who he believed was still imprisoned in their apartment.
"I warned her over the phone to get out when the fire started. However, after leaving the apartment, she was forced to return since the stairs and hallway were completely dark and covered in smoke," he said while spending the night at one of the emergency centers.
On Wednesday afternoon, homeowners of one of the blocks, Winter and Sandy Chung, saw sparks flying as they ran.
Even after they were safe, they were still worried about their belongings.
"I warned her over the phone to get out when the fire started. However, after leaving the apartment, she was forced to return since the stairs and hallway were completely dark and covered in smoke," he said while spending the night at one of the emergency centers.
On Wednesday afternoon, homeowners of one of the blocks, Winter and Sandy Chung, saw sparks flying as they ran.
Even after they were safe, they were still worried about their belongings.
"I couldn't sleep the entire night," 75-year-old Winter Chung told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter: an engineering adviser from a construction company and directors of the company.
Officers have not disclosed the company that employs them. "We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent," senior police superintendent Eileen Chung stated.
Three people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter: an engineering adviser from a construction company and directors of the company.
Officers have not disclosed the company that employs them. "We have reason to believe that those in charge of the construction company were grossly negligent," senior police superintendent Eileen Chung stated.
The headquarters of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, which the AP reported was in charge of renovations in the tower block, was also raided by officers on Thursday.
Calls to Prestige went unanswered while police hauled away boxes of paperwork as evidence, according to local media sources.
Authorities believed that some of the materials used on the building's outside walls did not adhere to fire safety regulations, which allowed the fire to spread dangerously quickly.
Eight towers made up the residential complex, which housed about 2,000 apartments for about 4,800 people, many of them were old.
The structure, which was built in the 1980s, has been undergoing significant renovations.
The corruption watchdog in Hong Kong declared on Thursday that it would begin looking into possible wrongdoing connected to the refurbishment project.
Authorities believed that some of the materials used on the building's outside walls did not adhere to fire safety regulations, which allowed the fire to spread dangerously quickly.
Eight towers made up the residential complex, which housed about 2,000 apartments for about 4,800 people, many of them were old.
The structure, which was built in the 1980s, has been undergoing significant renovations.
The corruption watchdog in Hong Kong declared on Thursday that it would begin looking into possible wrongdoing connected to the refurbishment project.
According to authorities, the fire started on the outside scaffolding of a 32-story building, raced down the bamboo framework and construction mesh into the building, and then leaped to other blocks, most likely due to windy conditions.
Although Lee said officials would meet with industry leaders to discuss moving to metal alternatives due to safety concerns, bamboo scaffolding is still a common sight on construction sites and restoration projects in Hong Kong. Although bamboo scaffolding has a long history in Hong Kong, metal scaffolding offers better flame retardancy. According to Eric Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration, "the government believes that a complete switch to metal scaffolding should be implemented in suitable working environments for safety reasons."
Although Lee said officials would meet with industry leaders to discuss moving to metal alternatives due to safety concerns, bamboo scaffolding is still a common sight on construction sites and restoration projects in Hong Kong. Although bamboo scaffolding has a long history in Hong Kong, metal scaffolding offers better flame retardancy. According to Eric Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration, "the government believes that a complete switch to metal scaffolding should be implemented in suitable working environments for safety reasons."
Additionally, the authorities will immediately inspect all housing estates undertaking major renovations to make sure the building materials and scaffolding meet safety regulations.
The most destructive fire to hit Hong Kong in decades was this one. 41 people lost their lives in a Kowloon commercial building fire in November 1996, which lasted for around 20 hours.
The most destructive fire to hit Hong Kong in decades was this one. 41 people lost their lives in a Kowloon commercial building fire in November 1996, which lasted for around 20 hours.
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