A massive inferno has swept through a residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po area, marking one of the city’s most deadly fires in years.
By late Wednesday, officials confirmed that at least 36 people, including a firefighter, had lost their lives, while hundreds more are reported missing.
With uncertainty over how many residents may still be trapped inside, authorities warn that the death toll could climb further.
Residents were moved out as flames rapidly engulfed seven of the eight high-rise buildings in the complex, which has been under renovation since July 2024.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but it spread quickly due to construction mesh and highly flammable bamboo scaffolding covering the buildings.
Hong Kong is among the few places where bamboo still plays a major role in construction scaffolding.
According to public broadcaster RTHK, police have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter over the incident.
By early Thursday morning, local time, the fire department said the blaze was coming under control, and three of the buildings no longer showed visible flames.Police and the fire service have set up a joint task force to determine what sparked the fire.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, sent his condolences to the firefighter who died and extended sympathy to the families of the victims.
