US EditionDeath toll in Hong Kong fire rises to 44 with 279 still missing, authorities say
At least 44 people died and 279 remain missing after a fire fueled by bamboo scaffolding engulfed seven buildings in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, officials said.
- On Nov 27, Hong Kong police said the death toll rose to 44 with 45 in critical condition after a fire tore through Wang Fuk Court housing complex, Tai Po, Hong Kong, leaving at least 279 missing.
- Covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh, the buildings were under a year-long renovation with owners paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000, while the government began phasing out bamboo scaffolding earlier this year.
- With flames and thick smoke, firefighters struggled to reach upper floors of the 32‑storey towers as scaffolding frames tumbled to the ground, said Chan, deputy director of fire service operations.
- At least 33 people were injured and more than 700 residents of Wang Fuk Court evacuated, while about 900 people sheltered in eight shelters and Tai Po road was closed with buses diverted.
- From Hong Kong, John Lee said they will launch a thorough investigation after Eileen Chung stated that suspicion of gross negligence led to three arrests, as authorities struggle to control the fire.
352 Articles
352 Articles
The fire in an apartment complex in the north of the city has so far killed 44 people, and the number is likely to continue to rise.
Hong Kong Arrests 3 Tied to Construction Company After Deadly Fire
The Hong Kong police on Thursday morning arrested three people tied to a construction company that installed scaffolding and netting on the buildings involved in the city’s worst fire in decades, saying they had reason to believe that the company’s “gross negligence” had led to the rapid spread of the blaze. The police said that building materials used by the company for the work at Wang Fuk Court, such as protective netting, tarpaulin and sheet…
The fire in a residential complex has left 44 dead and 279 missing. The cause would have been the use of highly flammable materials in a renovation.
Hong Kong: Lives, belongings reduced to ash; 44 killed, 300 missing in skeletal high-rise buildings
The fire in Hong Kong has killed at least 44 people. Authorities are investigating possible negligence by construction firms. Several schools have suspended classes, and major roads in Tai Po remain closed as firefighters continue to battle the blaze at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex.
The authorities confirmed that 45 people are in serious condition. Still, the Government still hopes that UGT will join the general strike.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 49% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
