Hong Kong Inferno Update: Death Toll Rises to 83 as Investigations Continue
Rescuers locate survivor on stairwell; three contractor executives arrested as inspections expand citywide
China, PUREWILAYAH.COM - The casualty count from Hong Kong’s catastrophic Wang Fuk Court fire has risen to 83, after rescue teams discovered a survivor on a stairwell during ongoing operations. Authorities warned that the figure could rise further, with 25 emergency calls still unresolved and dozens feared trapped amid the charred remains of the Tai Po housing estate.
The fire—now the city’s deadliest in decades—has triggered a sweeping series of criminal, corruption, and safety investigations targeting renovation practices across Hong Kong’s public housing sector.
One Survivor Found as Search Intensifies
Rescue teams reported a rare moment of hope upon locating a survivor on a staircase, though the identity and condition of the individual were not immediately disclosed. Officials continue to prioritize entry into compromised upper floors where fires are still being extinguished.
More than 56 injured residents remain in hospitals across the city, including 11 firefighters who sustained injuries during the operation.
Flammable Renovation Materials Confirmed as Key Factor
Authorities say the fire’s rapid spread was caused by highly flammable styrofoam covering lift windows on every floor. These materials—used during extensive renovations that began in July 2024—acted as fuel, allowing flames to tear through corridors and into residential units within minutes.
Officials also confirmed that the scaffolding mesh and netting encasing all eight towers failed to meet fire safety standards.
Arrests and Corruption Probes Expand
Following initial findings, police arrested three individuals—two directors and a consultant linked to the renovation contractor—on manslaughter charges. They are accused of authorizing or overseeing the use of unsafe materials that directly contributed to the fire’s explosive spread.
The scandal has widened further:
ICAC has launched a corruption investigation into the HK$330 million renovation project.
Police are searching the offices of the estate’s management company, which supervised day-to-day works.
Government officials pledged “complete accountability, no matter the level.”
Citywide Inspections Ordered by Hong Kong Leadership
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has ordered urgent inspections of all public housing estates undergoing major renovations, citing concerns that similar materials or construction practices may pose widespread risks.
Lee visited hospitalized survivors early Thursday and vowed that “nothing will be overlooked” in determining how such a large-scale failure of safety standards occurred.
National Response: President Xi Jinping Calls for Full Mobilization
President Xi Jinping expressed condolences and urged authorities to make “all-out efforts” to prevent further loss of life. Beijing is reportedly monitoring updates closely, given the scale of the disaster and the emerging evidence of systemic construction failures.
Though the most intense flames have been controlled, firefighters say three towers continue to burn on upper floors, complicating rescue operations. Full structural assessments cannot begin until hotspots are fully extinguished.
Officials fear that heat damage, weakened scaffolding, and toxic debris may prolong the search for missing residents. (PW)