Hong Kong FIRE LATEST UPDATE: Death toll rises to 55, hundreds missing, reason behind the deadliest fire in 63 years is…
At least 55 people have lost their lives and more than 270 people are missing after Hong Kong’s worst fire 63 years reduced several high-rise buildings into ashes on Wednesday afternoon.
Hong Kong Fire: The death toll from the massive fire that reduced public housing apartments to ashes in Hong Kong has risen to 55, as per news agency Reuters. Over 270 people are still missing and rescue teams are trying to find the missing persons. As per reports, 51 people lost their lives at the scene and four others succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Sadly, a firefighter also died while rescuing others, Aljazeera reported citing a spokesman.
Hong Kong Fire: What Is The Latest Update
The firefighters and rescue teams are still fighting to control and douse the furious flames in the Tai Po neighbourhood. Rescue teams are trying to reach people who are trapped inside their houses. In the morning, officials stated that they succeeded in bringing the fire in four buildings under control.
Meanwhile, affected people have been taken to nearby emergency shelters. However, it is still unclear how many people were actually in Wang Fuk Court when the massive fire broke out.
As per the available government census (2021), as many as 4,600 people live in the complex. However, the exact number could be higher as the census is over a decade old.
Hong Kong Fire: What Did Chinese Military Say?
The Chinese military’s Hong Kong garrison stated that it is doing everything possible to safeguard the city, said China’s defence ministry spokesman. China’s People’s Liberation Army “will act according to orders, perform its duties an accordance with the law and safeguard Hong Kong,” Jiang Bin said.
Two Indonesian Migrant Workers Dead
The dreadful fire also killed two Indonesian migrant workers in the domestic sector’, while two others sustained severe burn injuries, Indonesia’s foreign ministry stated. However, the authorities have not released their identity. As per the latest reports, at least seven Indonesian workers living in the apartment are reported missing, BBC Indonesia reported, citing a coordinator for Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Fire: What Exactly Happened?
A densely populated apartment complex, which is located in Hong Kong’s Tai Po neighbourhood, caught fire on Wednesday at around 2:51 pm (06:51 GMT) local time. As per several reports, the flames started on the bamboo scaffolding set up outside one of the buildings. Notably, the scaffolding was made from bamboo poles and was used by workers for repair work. When the scaffolding caught fire, the flames took no time spreading to the structure, then the building, and then to nearby towers.
As per local media reports, flames intensified in a nearby structure at around 3:34 pm (07:34 GMT). The fire had reached level four and by 6:22 pm (10:22 GMT) and then level five – the highest alert level of fire in Hong Kong.
(Note: This is a developing story and further details will be added.)
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