The death toll from the Hong Kong apartment fire has reached 146 as investigators continue to find more victims in the charred buildings. Mourners have been gathering at the site, leaving flowers and creating a growing makeshift memorial for one of the city’s worst tragedies.
Police Chief Cheng Ka-chun reported that the disaster identification team is carefully searching the Wang Fuk Court complex, discovering bodies in apartments and on rooftops. Although the buildings remain structurally stable, the search is progressing slowly due to poor lighting inside, making it difficult to work away from windows. So far, four of the seven blocks have been examined.
Casualty unit head Tsang Shuk-yin confirmed that recent searches uncovered 30 additional bodies, including 12 previously located by firefighters but not yet recovered. About 100 people are still missing, and 79 were injured.
On Sunday, visitors paid their respects with prayers and handwritten notes among the flowers. Lian Shuzheng, who waited in a long line to add her bouquet, remarked that the incident should serve as a wake-up call regarding high-rise building safety.
Donations have been pouring in for those who lost everything in the fire, which started on Wednesday and wasn’t fully extinguished until Friday. The cause is still under investigation.
Authorities are cautious about potential public unrest, especially after the 2019 pro-democracy protests led to Beijing’s national security law. On Saturday, China’s security agencies warned against exploiting the disaster to disrupt Hong Kong, threatening legal action under security laws.
The Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po, undergoing renovations with bamboo scaffolding and polystyrene-covered windows, is being checked for fire code violations. Hong Kong officials have suspended 28 projects by the contractor, Prestige Construction + Engineering Company, citing serious safety management failures, including the use of foam boards to cover windows during repairs. The company could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
Built in the 1980s, the complex consists of eight 31-story buildings with nearly 2,000 apartments housing over 4,600 residents. Many survivors are now staying in emergency shelters or hotels as authorities work to support them.”It’s heartbreaking,” said Jeffery Chan, a civil servant who visited the site on Sunday to pay his respects. “As a Hongkonger, witnessing people in our community lose their loved ones and everything they had in a single night is unbearable when you imagine yourself in their position. They need encouragement, support, and assistance from all of Hong Kong.”
In response, Beijing’s emergency management ministry has ordered a nationwide inspection of high-rise buildings to detect and eliminate fire risks. The checks will focus on issues like bamboo scaffolding, non-flame-retardant safety nets, and fire safety systems including hydrants, automatic sprinklers, and fire alarms.
The Wang Fuk Court fire marks Hong Kong’s deadliest incident since a 1948 warehouse fire that claimed 176 lives.
This report includes information from Associated Press and Reuters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the tragic apartment fire in Hong Kong designed to be clear concise and helpful
Basic Information
Q1 What happened in Hong Kong
A A massive fire broke out in an old residential apartment building resulting in the tragic loss of 146 lives
Q2 When did the fire happen
A The fire occurred on It started in the early evening
Q3 Where exactly did the fire happen
A The fire was at
Q4 What caused the fire
A The official cause is still under investigation but initial reports suggest it may have started from an electrical fault or a mishap in one of the units
Q5 How many people were injured
A In addition to the fatalities dozens of people were injured with many in critical condition
Immediate Aftermath and Response
Q6 How did the fire spread so quickly
A The building was old and lacked modern safety features like sprinkler systems It is believed that clutter in the hallways and open stairwells allowed the fire and smoke to spread rapidly
Q7 What is being done for the survivors and families of the victims
A The Hong Kong government has set up a dedicated support center is providing emergency financial aid and offering counseling services to those affected
Q8 How can I help the victims and their families
A You can donate to official relief funds set up by the Hong Kong government or reputable charities like the Red Cross that are directly supporting the victims
Deeper Questions and Context
Q9 Were there any known fire safety issues in this building before the tragedy
A Yes it has been reported that the building was over 50 years old and had received fire safety orders in the past but upgrades had not been fully implemented due to cost and logistical challenges
Q10 What are fire safety orders and why werent they followed
A Fire safety orders are legal directives from the government requiring building owners to fix safety hazards In many old buildings compliance is slow due to high costs disputes among owners
