Hong Kong Fire Toll Rises to 146 at Wang Fuk Court Blaze
Hong Kong Fire Toll Rises to 146 at Wang Fuk Court Blaze
Rescue teams press on in Tai Po as the Wang Fuk Court blaze leaves 146 dead, hundreds unaccounted, and questions on high-rise safety.
Rescue teams have found 30 more bodies in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, raising the death toll to 146. Investigators say they have so far examined four of the seven blocks, with the casualty unit reporting that some remains had been located but not recovered by firefighters.
A growing makeshift memorial has formed near the site, where well-wishers lay flowers and offer prayers as the community processes the tragedy.
Search work has been slowed by darkness inside the burnt towers and the difficulty of accessing spaces away from windows, according to officers involved in the operation.
Hong Kong authorities report about 100 people are still unaccounted for and 79 were injured, underscoring the scale of the disaster and the ongoing rescue effort.
Residents and experts say the blaze is a stark wake-up call about safety in high-rise living, prompting calls for accountability and tighter building precautions in the city.
The tragedy has also drawn attention beyond Hong Kong, with mainland authorities signaling nationwide fire-safety inspections in response to the incident.
Cover image source: China launches nationwide fire safety inspection following Hong Kong fire 🔗
