Hong Kong Mourns as Death Toll from Devastating Tai Po Blaze Rises to 75; Rescue Efforts Continue Amid Hundreds Missing

Hong Kong – November 27, 2025In one of the city's darkest hours, Hong Kong is reeling from a ferocious inferno that has claimed at least 75 lives and left nearly 300 people unaccounted for, marking the deadliest fire in the territory in nearly seven decades. The blaze, which erupted Wednesday afternoon in the densely packed Wang Fuk Court public housing estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong's New Territories, raged uncontrolled for hours before firefighters brought it "basically under control" late Thursday, according to Chief Executive John Lee.

The fire broke out around 2:51 p.m. local time on November 26, initially reported as a minor alarm but swiftly escalating to the highest level 5 classification by 6:22 p.m. Flames tore through bamboo scaffolding and non-fireproof mesh materials used for ongoing renovations, engulfing seven of the estate's eight 32-story residential towers. Eyewitnesses described a hellish scene of thick black smoke billowing skyward and searing heat that trapped residents on upper floors, with some forced to leap from balconies in desperate bids for survival.

As of 10 p.m. Thursday, the confirmed death toll stood at 75, including a 37-year-old firefighter who perished during rescue operations in one of the towers. More than 70 others remain hospitalized, many suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation. Officials fear the number of fatalities could climb higher, with approximately 279 to 300 individuals still missing amid the charred ruins. "This is a massive catastrophe that has shaken our city to its core," Lee said during a somber press conference, his voice heavy with grief.Rescue teams, battling extreme heat and structural instability, continued floor-by-floor searches into the night, pulling at least one survivor from the debris as dawn broke on the second day. "We are going up carefully, thoroughly searching every corner to rescue people as quickly as possible," said Wong Ka-wing, deputy director of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department. Over 200 firefighters and support personnel were deployed, supported by equipment from mainland China, including two deputy directors from Beijing's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office who arrived to coordinate aid.

The rapid spread of the fire has drawn comparisons to the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster in London and has prompted urgent questions about building safety in Hong Kong's aging public housing stock. Experts attribute the blaze's ferocity to the combustible bamboo scaffolding— a common, cost-effective feature in renovations—combined with plastic sheeting and dense occupancy in the low-income estate. Police have launched a criminal investigation, with three individuals arrested on suspicion of negligence related to the construction work. Authorities are also mulling a citywide review of scaffolding practices, potentially mandating metal frameworks over traditional bamboo.

In response to the tragedy, Lee announced immediate relief measures, including a HK$300 million (£29 million) assistance fund for affected families and an initial HK$10,000 (£972) payout per household. A public mourning event is planned, with details forthcoming. Tributes poured in from around the world, including from Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who expressed condolences on social media: "Let us pray for Hong Kong together. My deepest condolences to the families of those lost, and sincere wishes for the recovery of the injured and the safe return of the missing."Hong Kong's Chinese military garrison, the People's Liberation Army, reaffirmed its commitment to "safeguard the city," though it has not yet deployed personnel for rescue efforts. The fire surpasses previous tragedies, including a 1996 Kowloon blaze that killed 41 and a 1957 tenement fire that claimed 59 lives.

17GEN4.com