Hong Kong, Wednesday — A devastating blaze swept through a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, leaving at least 13 people dead and dozens injured, according to authorities.
Officials said the fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po at 2:51 p.m. local time. Within minutes, the situation escalated as the fire alarm level was raised repeatedly — to No. 3 at 3:02 p.m., No. 4 at 3:34 p.m., and eventually No. 5 at 6:22 p.m. — the second-highest emergency classification in Hong Kong.
Fire Services confirmed in an evening update around 8 p.m. that the death toll had risen to 13, a dramatic jump from the four fatalities reported just two hours earlier. Another 28 people were injured, many of whom were transported to two nearby hospitals for treatment.
Among the dead was a firefighter from the Sha Tin Fire Station, who lost his life while attempting rescue operations inside the burning building. “The fire has resulted in many casualties, including a fireman who died in the line of duty,” Chief Executive John Lee said in a social media statement, expressing his “deep sadness” and extending condolences to the victims’ families.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung confirmed that emergency teams, including police, ambulance, and firefighters, were deployed in full force to suppress the blaze. “The fire department is doing its utmost to put out the fire,” he said.
The cause of the fire has not yet been announced, and an investigation is expected once the site is secured.