Catastrophic inferno engulfs Wang Fuk Court towers, fueled by flammable scaffolding; arrests made amid grief, investigations, and calls for safety overhaul
Hong Kong Mourns: Apartment Fire Death Toll Rises to 146 in Deadliest Blaze in Decades
Hong Kong is reeling from its deadliest fire in over 75 years, with the death toll at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex climbing to 146 as of November 30, 2025, after rescuers discovered 18 more bodies in the charred high-rises. The inferno erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the northern Tai Po district, rapidly spreading through seven of the eight 31-story towers housing over 4,600 residents, fueled by flammable foam panels on scaffolding and strong winds that shattered windows and propelled flames between buildings. Around 100 to 150 people remain unaccounted for, 79 are injured, and recovery efforts could take three to four weeks amid dark, debris-filled conditions.
Fire Origin and Spread
The blaze started from a lower-level scaffolding net on one building, igniting foam panels used in renovations that residents had previously flagged as fire hazards despite assurances of low risk. Flames consumed the structures for 40 hours, requiring over 2,000 firefighters to extinguish them by Friday, with bodies found in apartments and on rooftops. The 1980s-built complex’s design exacerbated the rapid spread, leaving thousands displaced and many in emergency shelters or hotels.
Rescue and Identification Challenges
Police Disaster Victim Identification Unit, led by Superintendent Cheng Ka-chun and Shuk-yin Tsang, completed searches in four towers but faces low visibility and structural hazards in others. Families assist in the grueling identification process, with officials warning of potential further fatalities. Over 1,000 mourners queued Sunday to lay floral tributes at a makeshift memorial, voicing grief and demands for justice amid public anger over safety lapses.
Investigations and Arrests
Authorities probe fire code violations, with two directors and an engineering consultant from a construction firm arrested on manslaughter suspicions and gross negligence. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee ordered inspections of all public housing under major renovations. Beijing cautioned against protests using national security laws, as residents like Lian Shuzheng call it a wake-up for high-rise safety.
Community Response and Outlook
Survivors recount fleeing in panic, with calls for accountability growing. The tragedy exposes vulnerabilities in aging public housing, prompting scrutiny of renovation materials and enforcement. Long-term recovery involves rebuilding lives and infrastructure for displaced families in this unprecedented disaster.
