A substantial fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has resulted in at least 75 fatalities, with another 76 individuals reported missing. The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon and affected seven of the complex's eight towers, which house approximately 4,600 residents. Reports indicate that 76 people have sustained injuries, including 11 firefighters, one of whom has died due to the incident.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, announced that the fire is now under control. He indicated that the materials used on the exterior of the building did not meet fire safety standards. In light of this, three executives from the construction firm responsible for the building's construction have been arrested on manslaughter charges. Eileen Chung, a senior police superintendent, stated that there are grounds to believe the executives showed gross negligence in their duties.
The fire has been classified as one of the deadliest in recent history, surpassing the death toll of the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, which resulted in 72 deaths. The incident has drawn widespread attention and concern both locally and internationally. In response to the tragedy, the government has established an assistance fund for affected households, providing approximately $1,300 to each, which is noted to be less than the average monthly rent in the Tai Po area.
The impact of the fire has also affected planned events in the region, including the cancellation of the red carpet for the Mnet Asian Music Awards, although the event itself will still take place. Pope Leo has expressed condolences to the victims via a telegram sent to the bishop in Hong Kong.