Hong Kong Apartment Fire Kills 36, Hundreds Missing

At least 36 people have died in a major fire that engulfed apartment blocks in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, with 279 residents still unaccounted for, authorities say.

More than 800 firefighters are at the scene attempting to control the blaze at Wang Fuk Court. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated that the fire is “now coming under control” as emergency operations continue late into the night.

Among those rescued are a baby and an elderly woman, according to local media reports. The government also paid tribute to a 37-year-old firefighter who lost his life battling the fire, describing him as “dedicated and gallant.”

Residents who have lost contact with relatives inside the buildings are appealing to local authorities for help, a local councillor told the BBC.

The fire has been classified as level five, the most serious fire category in Hong Kong.

Bamboo Scaffolding Under Scrutiny

The affected towers were covered in bamboo scaffolding and green construction netting up to the rooftops as part of ongoing renovations. Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique in Hong Kong, is valued for being lightweight, strong, and fast-growing, but authorities have long expressed safety concerns.

In March, the government’s development bureau noted efforts to phase out bamboo scaffolding following a series of scaffolding-related deaths. “Bamboo scaffolds have intrinsic weaknesses such as variation in mechanical properties, deterioration over time and high combustibility, giving rise to safety concerns,” said bureau spokesperson Terence Lam.

Investigators have launched a probe into the fire’s causes. Early reports suggest that the blaze spread rapidly between buildings via the bamboo scaffolding, compounding the scale of the tragedy.