Overview Logo
Article Main Image

Death toll hits 94 in Hong Kong Tai Po fire as rescue missions continue through the night

Friday, November 28


Alternative Takes

The World's Current Take

Government Response and Aid

International Response


The death toll in Hong Kong’s worst blaze in decades climbed to 94 on Friday morning, as an overnight rescue mission continued at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Smoke billowing out of Wang Fuk Court on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Smoke billowing out of Wang Fuk Court on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The Fire Services Department (FSD) said that 94 people have been killed, including a firefighter, as of 6 am on Friday. 76 others have been injured, including 11 firefighters, they added.

Firefighters did not retrieve any survivors in the early hours on Friday, as the rescue work entered a third day – many are still presumed missing.

The FSD said the blaze, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, is now “under control,” with some units still in flames.

Water being sprayed at a housing block in Wang Fuk Court on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Water being sprayed at a housing block in Wang Fuk Court on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Derek Armstrong Chan, deputy director of the Fire Services Department, said at a press conference at around 1 am on Friday that they have conducted door-to-door searches in the buildings and it was expected that all units will be searched in the morning on Friday.

“[W]e’ll endeavour to effect forcible entry to all the units of the seven buildings, so as to ensure there are no other possible casualties,” he said.

Wang Fuk Court has around 2,000 residential units and is home to around 4,000 people, according to the 2021 census.

An apartment block that caught fire in Wang Fuk Court, pictured on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP.
An apartment that caught fire in Wang Fuk Court, pictured on November 27, 2025. Photo: Kelly Ho/HKFP.

The fire broke out shortly before 3 pm on Wednesday and quickly engulfed seven of the eight residential towers at Wang Fuk Court. Close to 300 people were missing, according to earlier estimates.

Police Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung said in the early hours of Thursday that firefighters suspected that the netting, mesh, canvas and plastic sheeting installed on the buildings did not meet fire safety requirements. The complex had been encased in scaffolding as part of a years-long renovation.

Police said on Thursday that three men, aged between 52 and 68, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter – each are from a construction firm. One is an engineering consultant, and two are directors.

The force has formed a joint investigation with the Fire Services Department. The anti-corruption watchdog has also launched a probe.

Get the full experience in the app

Scroll the Globe, Pick a Country, See their News

International stories that aren't found anywhere else.

Global News, Local Perspective

50 countries, 150 news sites, 500 articles a day.

Don’t Miss what Gets Missed

Explore international stories overlooked by American media.

Unfiltered, Uncensored, Unbiased

Articles are translated to English so you get a unique view into their world.

Apple App Store Badge