Web Desk: A massive blaze swept through high-rise apartment blocks in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district late Tuesday, killing at least 36 people and leaving 279 residents unaccounted for, officials said, marking one of the city’s most devastating residential fires in decades.
Hundreds of Firefighters Battle
More than 700 firefighters rushed to Wang Fuk Court, a densely populated housing complex home to roughly 4,600 residents. Crews continued battling the flames through the night as the fire reached a level-five classification, Hong Kong’s highest emergency rating.
Rescues Amid the Chaos
Emergency teams managed to pull a baby and an elderly woman from the burning blocks, local media reported. However, families remain desperate for answers as scores of residents are still missing. A local councillor told the BBC that people are pleading for help after losing contact with loved ones trapped inside the buildings.
Firefighter Dies in the Line of Duty
The government confirmed the death of a 37-year-old firefighter who was critically injured while attempting to contain the blaze. Officials paid tribute to him, calling his service “dedicated and gallant,” and praised frontline crews battling extreme heat and thick smoke.
Community Demands Immediate Support
As rescue operations continued into Wednesday morning, residents urged authorities to accelerate search efforts and release updated information on missing persons. Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and investigations will begin once the site is secure.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over fire safety standards in densely populated housing estates and the challenges emergency workers face during large-scale urban disasters.
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