Hong Kong high-rise fire

Death toll rises – many still trapped in high-rise buildings

The death toll from the high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to 75, local authorities say, according to AFP. About the same number have been injured and dozens are still trapped in the fire-ravaged buildings, reports the South China Morning Post.

The work to get survivors out is still ongoing on Thursday. As late as lunchtime, a man was rescued from the stairwell on the 16th floor of one of the buildings.

The firefighting effort is still ongoing and the AP's live broadcast from the scene shows open flames in parts of the high-rise complex.

Relatives seek answers: "Searched all hospitals"

At least 55 people have been confirmed dead after the high-rise fire in Hong Kong, several media outlets report.

Many of the survivors have been moved to temporary housing near the fire-ravaged apartment complex, and many are still searching for the more than 200 people still missing.

“I have searched all the hospitals – no sign of them. The police told me to record their personal details, and I did. I just wish there was more I could do. Maybe they are safe somewhere,” says an elderly man searching for relatives, including his six-year-old grandson.
Hong Kong high-rise fire
Three arrested after deadly fire in Hong Kong

Three people from a construction company have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a deadly fire in a residential area in Hong Kong, several media outlets report. Two of the men are managers and one is a consultant at the company that has been renovating the building since last year.

According to police, scaffolding around the building may have been a contributing factor to the fire.

– We have reason to believe that the responsible parties of the company have been grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in several deaths, says Eileen Chung from the Hong Kong police to Reuters.

At least 44 people have died and nearly 300 people are missing.

Death toll rises – many still trapped in the high-rise buildings

The death toll after the high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to 75, local authorities say according to AFP. About the same number have been injured and dozens are still trapped in the fire-ravaged buildings, reports the South China Morning Post.

The work to get survivors out is still ongoing on Thursday. As late as lunchtime, a man was rescued from the stairwell on the 16th floor of one of the buildings.

Firefighting efforts are still underway, and AP's live broadcast from the scene shows open flames in parts of the high-rise complex. 

Hong Kong high-rise fire — the case in point

• At least 75 people have been confirmed dead and many are missing after a massive fire in an apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong.
• At least 4,600 people live in the apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, according to a 2021 government survey.
• About 700 firefighters participated in the firefighting efforts, and many survivors have been evacuated to temporary housing nearby.
• Broken fire alarms have been reported in the buildings, and many relatives are still searching for missing family members.
• Three people from a construction company have been arrested on suspicion of causing death to another. Bamboo scaffolding and Styrofoam are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.