Asia

Asia

Firefighting operations end at Hong Kong blaze site

28 November 2025 10:14 (UTC +04:00)

Families of the scores still missing after Hong Kong's worst blaze in decades are searching through hospitals as firefighting operations ended, with the death toll at least 94, APA reports, citing rte.ie.

Flames had moved quickly through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, spreading through the eight high rises and transforming the densely packed complex into an inferno.

After burning for over 40 hours, the blaze was "largely extinguished" by 10:18 am (2:18am Irish time), the fire services said, announcing the end of its operations.

Authorities are investigating what sparked the fire, including examining the bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the complex as part of a major renovation.

At the charred apartment blocks, workers searched for survivors and pulled out bodies in black bags, with an AFP reporter counting four in one 15-minute period.

Vehicles unloaded multiple bodies at a mortuary in nearby Sha Tin, another reporter saw, with families expected to arrive in the afternoon for identification.

Many people remain missing, but the exact number has not been updated since early yesterday.