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Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Reaches 94; Search Operations Near Completion

Authorities brace for heartbreaking final moments of search operations after the city’s worst fire in decades.

  • Publish date: since 6 days Reading time: two min read
Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Reaches 94; Search Operations Near Completion

Hong Kong firefighters say they’re nearing the final stages of search and rescue after a massive blaze tore through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po — now confirmed as the city’s deadliest fire since 1948. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, has claimed at least 94 lives, with dozens still unaccounted for.

How the Fire Spread So Fast

Wang Fuk Court — an eight-tower residential estate with over 4,600 residents — was under renovation, wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh. Once the fire ignited, the scaffolding acted like fuel, helping flames climb quickly.
Fire crews battled intense heat, collapsing scaffolding and heavy smoke as they forced their way into unit after unit.

Arrests Over Unsafe Materials

Police have arrested three officials from Prestige Construction, the company handling renovations, on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigators say the contractors used flammable foam boards that blocked windows, trapping smoke and residents inside. Officers have since seized documents, computers, and phones as part of the probe.

Families Still Searching for Loved Ones

Authorities have not updated the original list of 279 missing people since early Thursday. Some emergency calls remain unresolved, including several in recent hours. Many families are still searching — some holding photos of loved ones outside shelters where around 900 evacuees are currently staying.

Government Response and Support

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee announced a HK$300 million fund to support survivors and displaced residents. Several major Chinese companies have also pledged donations.
Meanwhile, officials are discussing replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives to prevent similar tragedies.

Community Impact

With residents now camping in malls, outside shops, and in temporary tents, the disaster has reignited long-standing frustrations about housing safety in one of the world’s most crowded cities. The tragedy has already drawn comparisons to the Grenfell Tower fire in London, which exposed severe safety lapses.

This article was previously published on omanmoments. To see the original article, click here

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