The death toll in the massive blaze that swept through several high-rise buildings in a Hong Kong apartment complex has risen to 55, the city’s fire department said Thursday at a news conference.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee told reporters earlier that at least 279 people were missing.
Firefighters managed to bring many of the fires under control early Thursday and have begun searching the blackened high-rises in Tai Po, a northeastern district in Hong Kong’s New Territories. The apartment buildings at Wang Fuk Court, are 31 stories high and housed more than 4,600 people, according to a 2021 census.
At least 75 people have been taken to hospitals as of noon Thursday local time, local media reported, citing the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Of them, 17 were in critical condition and 27 were said to be in serious condition. At least 900 people have been displaced and are taking refuge at temporary shelters, the South China Morning Post reported.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but Hong Kong police arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire Wednesday, according to the South China Morning Post. Officials said the fire appeared to have spread with unusual speed, perhaps because of foam material used during the buildings’ ongoing renovations.
Lee on Thursday ordered inspections of all Hong Kong public housing estates that are undergoing significant renovations.
Victoria Craw contributed to this report.
The post Death toll in Hong Kong high-rise fire rises to 55 appeared first on Washington Post.
