HONG KONG, November 30, 2025 — Following a devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, specialized forensic teams have begun the grim task of identifying victims amid a catastrophic loss of life. The fire, which ripped through parts of the residential complex, has tragically claimed at least 128 lives, injured 83 others, and left a potential 150 residents unaccounted for. Personnel from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) entered the heavily damaged estate today, working under restrictive conditions to meticulously document and recover human remains and evidence, initiating what authorities anticipate will be a weeks-long search and recovery operation.
Forensic Teams Enter Burned-Out Complex
Dressed in specialized white protective gear, DVIU specialists convened at a nearby basketball court before moving into the high-rise complex early this morning. The initial focus involved a structured sweep of Wang Tao House and Wang Yan House, which officers reported have been fully searched with no human remains discovered. This completion allowed for a swifter entry into other affected areas. Police Commissioner Joe Chow visited the scene in the afternoon, while Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing addressed the media, underscoring the government’s commitment to transparency and rapid response.
The scale of the destruction is profound. Images from inside the complex reveal apartments completely gutted by the heat, with structural elements compromised, walls stripped bare, and floors overlaid with layers of ash, twisted metal, and burnt debris. While some units show complete devastation, rendering household items like stoves and washing machines barely recognizable, others appear less severely affected, with some furniture still discernible. Firefighters continue to support the operation, transporting materials intended to stabilize dangerous areas, including foam panels and scaffolding netting.
Identifying the Missing and Unaccounted
The priority for DVIU teams is accurately identifying all victims. This process involves cataloging the position and condition of any located remains and carefully collecting personal effects that could serve as identifying evidence.
As of today, the official count of uncontactable individuals stands at approximately 150. Police acknowledged significant hurdles in tracking these residents, noting that information for roughly 100 cases is highly fragmented.
“Some callers to the hotline were unsure whether the missing friend actually lived at Wang Fuk Court, had not been in touch for years, or only knew a nickname,” a police spokesperson stated. Authorities are systematically contacting each caller to gather more precise details to refine the missing persons list, which is crucial for reducing the anxiety of affected families.
Key Recovery Milestones:
- 128 fatalities confirmed, with 83 injured.
- Initial sweeps of two major blocks (Wang Tao House and Wang Yan House) completed without finding remains.
- Three cats and one turtle were rescued from the completed search areas and transferred to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
- Over a hundred additional personnel joined the DVIU effort by yesterday afternoon to accelerate the process.
Outlook: Weeks of Intensive Search Ahead
While the swift cooling of high-temperature hotspots in the two initially searched buildings allowed DVI teams to advance quickly, authorities warned the overall investigative and recovery process will be protracted. Police estimate that the comprehensive, estate-wide search will require three to four weeks, yet they have pledged to expedite the operation and lift security cordons as soon as legally and practically feasible.
The long-term impact of this tragedy extends beyond immediate recovery, necessitating community support and mental health resources for the hundreds of survivors and affected families grappling with this monumental loss. The ongoing DVIU operation represents a critical step towards closure for the community, ensuring every life lost is accounted for meticulously.