The danger is still not completely averted in the Hong Kong high-rise complex.Image: keystone
After the devastating fire in a residential complex in Hong Kong, the number of deaths has risen to at least 55. The danger is still not averted.
November 27, 2025, 04:33November 27, 2025, 08:43
The death toll has risen to 55 following a major fire in an apartment complex in Hong Kong. As the fire department announced, 51 of them died on site and four in the hospital. A total of 123 people are now considered injured in the inferno in the Tai Po district.
45 other people were in critical condition, Hong Kong authorities said. The number of missing people remains unclear. The authorities had previously put these at almost 279. Among the dead was a 37-year-old firefighter who was found unconscious at the scene and died in hospital.
The fire broke out on Wednesday in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district and quickly spread through several scaffolded high-rise buildings. The authorities declared alert level five – the highest category. The fire department reported extreme temperatures on the upper floors and difficult conditions when fighting the fire. The extinguishing work also continued during the night; The fire was now under control in four of the eight apartment blocks.
According to media reports, helpers are currently rescuing other survivors from the affected buildings. The fire brigade also brought several cats and dogs that had survived out of the buildings in the morning (local time), as can be seen in the photos.
Arrests on suspicion of negligent homicide
The cause of the fire was initially unclear. Authorities said police arrested three people from a construction company on suspicion of negligent homicide. According to reports from the South China Morning Post, officials also searched the company’s offices.
The authorities are particularly examining the safety standards of the traditional bamboo scaffolding and the protective nets attached to it, which were covered in all buildings for renovation work. Investigators found windows built with polystyrene panels – a highly flammable plastic that is often used as insulation material – and some of them blocked, as well as presumably inferior building materials. Both could have contributed to the fire spreading so quickly.
The residential complex dates back to the 1980s and was equipped for renovation work. The flames also spread quickly thanks to the wind and spread to seven of the eight buildings, all of which are more than 30 stories high. There are almost 2,000 apartments in the complex. Due to the major fire, around 900 people had to seek shelter in public shelters. According to reports, authorities expect rescue work to continue at least until the evening (local time).
Dramatic scenes at night
Photos and videos from the scene showed large plumes of smoke rising from the scaffolded high-rise residential buildings. It could also be seen how the façade scaffolding was in flames over several floors and burning parts fell to the ground. In addition, sources of fire could be seen inside individual apartments. The Hong Kong police set up a telephone service so that the public could obtain information about the victims.
Prime Minister Lee said that the fire department was “gradually bringing the fire under control” and that all available forces had been mobilized. Chinese state and party leader Xi Jinping sent condolences from Beijing, Chinese state television reported. He assured the special administrative region of support. As the “South China Morning Post” reported, more than 800 firefighters and paramedics were on duty with over 140 vehicles.
Classes were canceled in several schools on Thursday due to the major fire. As the authority responsible for education announced, 13 schools and kindergartens were affected. The education office cited the fire and the associated traffic disruptions as the reason. The fire, which was categorized as the highest warning level five, resulted in extensive closures.
Condolences from abroad
Meanwhile, various expressions of condolence reached the Chinese special administrative region from abroad. “We stand with the people of Hong Kong and acknowledge the strength of the community and all those who are providing help during this difficult time,” wrote the British Consulate General on the online platform X. Hong Kong was a British crown colony until 1997.
The US Consulate General showed them to X, deeply affected by the “tragic fire”. “Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected by the devastating fire,” it said.
(sda/dpa/con)