A devastating five-alarm fire ripped through Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Wednesday, resulting in a staggering loss of life and triggering a massive, multi-agency response to support victims and displaced residents. As of Thursday, authorities confirmed 44 fatalities and 62 injuries, with over 200 residents initially unaccounted for amidst the complex’s remains. The tragedy has mobilized immediate government action concerning emergency housing, mental health support, and broader operational safety reviews across the city.
Rescue Operations Yield Fluid Casualty Counts
The horrific blaze, one of Hong Kong’s deadliest recent structural fires, necessitated the deployment of 304 fire and rescue vehicle sorties. While rescue operations continued into Thursday evening, the Fire Services Department reported that four of the housing estate’s blocks had been extinguished, with three others brought under control. Emergency services fielded 341 distress calls, successfully resolving 279.
The Hospital Authority tracked a fluctuating casualty count as victims were transferred among major hospitals, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and Prince of Wales. By 2 p.m. Thursday, 76 individuals had been admitted to hospitals: 15 remained in critical condition, 28 were serious, and 18 stable, while 11 were discharged.
The fire’s impact resonated internationally: The Indonesian Consulate General confirmed the deaths of at least two Indonesian domestic workers, with two others injured. The Asian Migrants’ Coordinating Body spokesperson, Sringatin, appealed for greater transparency, noting that at least seven Indonesian domestic workers remained uncontactable. The body urged the Hong Kong government to enhance information sharing and collaborate with Indonesian authorities for follow-up support.
Immediate Housing and Welfare Provisions Activated
Recognizing the urgent need for shelter, the Hong Kong Housing Society swiftly provided approximately 400 vacant flats from its transitional housing stock for residents displaced by the inferno. This allocation includes 90 units at Che Shing Hin in Tai Po, operated in partnership with MTR, along with other short-term rental units. A 24-hour hotline, 2838 1393, has been established to field assistance requests from affected Wang Fuk Court residents.
Concurrent with housing efforts, the Social Welfare Department activated comprehensive community support. Social workers, clinical psychologists, and professional staff were deployed to temporary shelters and hospitals to deliver essential welfare and psychological support. Youth centers in Tai Po extended their hours to assist families during local school closures caused by the incident. Furthermore, the SPCA established a pet rescue and veterinary triage point near Kwong Fuk Estate, transferring over 10 animals to its Tsing Yi center for care.
Investigation Underway, Safety Audits Ordered
Police investigative activity intensified on Thursday afternoon as officers, accompanied by legal representatives, conducted searches at a village house in Yuen Long, signaling a broadened probe into the fire’s origins and potential contributing factors. Separately, the family of a deceased firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, was seen leaving the Fu Shan Public Mortuary, accompanied by Fire Services welfare and psychological support teams.
In response to the tragedy, Chief Executive John Lee convened an interdepartmental review meeting, committing to targeted support for the bereaved families and affected residents. Critically, he ordered immediate inspections of major building repair sites citywide, focusing on examining the safety of scaffolding and construction materials—a clear indication that authorities are assessing how construction or maintenance activities might have factored into the fire’s intensity or spread. Further official briefings on casualty figures and ongoing rescue efforts are anticipated as the city grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident.