Post by : Badri Ariffin

Hong Kong is in shock after a devastating fire ripped through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, leaving at least 146 dead. The tragedy unfolded on the afternoon of November 26, starting from a small fire on the building’s first floor and quickly escalating into a catastrophic inferno engulfing eight high-rise towers.

Inside the charred apartments, blackened walls and broken window frames tell a story of horror. Scorched debris, ash, and remnants of daily life litter the floors, while burned air conditioners and furniture stand as haunting reminders of lives lost. Rescue teams continue to comb through flats, staircases, and rooftops amid the hazardous conditions.

Hundreds of police officers and Disaster Victim Identification Unit personnel are on the ground, wearing protective gear and respiratory masks, sifting through fire debris in a race to locate missing residents. Out of the 146 bodies recovered so far, 54 have yet to be identified, and around 40 people are still reported missing. Fourteen individuals remain in critical condition in hospitals, with another four in serious condition.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, though early reports suggest it may have started from a cigarette near the building’s outer wall. Questions have also arisen about the building’s construction, including the use of highly flammable Styrofoam in renovations and traditional bamboo scaffolding that covered the high-rises.

As the city mourns, residents and mourners have gathered outside the damaged towers, laying flowers, soft toys, and handwritten messages. Many expressed grief and anger, with notes reading “Never Forget, Never Forgive,” reflecting both sorrow and frustration over the loss.

Authorities have launched an interdepartmental task force and arrested 11 individuals in connection with the fire, including three facing manslaughter charges. Meanwhile, the Housing Department has inspected six of the eight blocks and reported no immediate structural danger.

The Wang Fuk Court tragedy stands as one of the deadliest residential fires in decades, leaving a community grappling with grief, questions about safety, and the urgent need for reform in urban housing practices.

#Global News