A catastrophic No. 5 alarm fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Thursday, resulting in at least 55 confirmed fatalities and leaving 76 others injured, prompting a massive multi-agency rescue operation amid highly hazardous conditions. The disaster, which began earlier in the week, has mobilized a coalition of legal, engineering, and support organizations to form the Wang Fuk Court Victims’ Rights Alliance, aimed at providing comprehensive, long-term assistance to those impacted by the tragedy. Government officials, including Chief Executive John Lee, have visited the site as rescue teams navigate severe structural instability and high temperatures to locate remaining survivors and manage the aftermath.
The sheer scale of the incident quickly overwhelmed local resources. By 4 p.m. Thursday, the Hospital Authority reported that 80 individuals had been transported to area hospitals. Initial medical statuses reflected the severity of the injuries: 13 patients were listed in critical condition, 28 serious, and 18 stable, while 16 had been released. This update followed a 3 p.m. report indicating 78 hospitalizations.
Complex Rescue Efforts Hindered by Structural Risks
The Fire Services Department (FSD) confirmed that rescue operations remain complex due to the persistent dangers within the residential complex. While one residential block was reported unaffected and four others extinguished, three sections of the building required ongoing control efforts. Since the fire began, FSD has deployed 304 fire and rescue vehicle sorties and responded to 341 distress calls, successfully resolving 279 cases.
Firefighters faced life-threatening challenges, including severe heat and significant hazards posed by unstable scaffolding, which experienced partial collapses. These conditions severely complicated search efforts and forced-entry operations. In a dramatic morning rescue, crews successfully extracted an elderly man from the 31st floor of Wang Tai House, fitting him with a rescue breather before evacuating him to the ground for medical care.
Casualties and Emergency Response Details
The final count of the deceased is staggering: 51 victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and four more succumbed to their injuries after hospital admission. Among the initial 72 individuals taken to hospitals were eight injured firefighters, highlighting the perilous nature of their work; tragically, one firefighter was confirmed to have died in the line of duty.
Chief Executive John Lee, accompanied by Home and Youth Affairs Secretary Alice Mak and Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun, conducted a brief inspection of the scene, underscoring the government’s attention to the crisis. Simultaneously, police are investigating the cause of the fire, transporting a suspect to Ma On Shan for evidence gathering.
Community Mobilization and Fraud Warning
In response to the unprecedented suffering, the formation of the Victims’ Rights Alliance brings together the Association for the Rights of Industrial Accident Victims, along with key figures from the construction, engineering, legal, and insurance sectors. This coalition will be critical in assisting victims with claims, rebuilding efforts, and long-term support.
Authorities have also issued an urgent public health and safety warning regarding potential financial scams. Police cautioned residents against fraudulent fundraising schemes linked to the Tai Po fire, advising community members not to engage with unsolicited QR codes or share sensitive banking information. They stressed that all donations should only be made through established, recognized charitable channels to ensure funds reach legitimate victims. The ongoing investigation and immediate relief efforts signal a lengthy recovery process for the Tai Po community.