The death toll has already been over 55, and the number may continue to rise

The death toll from the fire in Hong Kong has increased to 55, the local emergency services reported on Thursday. About 280 people are still missing and almost 70 injured people are in hospitals. Firefighters have brought the fire under control in seven high-rise buildings on fire, but search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

According to the latest data from the fire brigade, 51 people died on the spot and four died in hospital. Of the 68 people hospitalized, 16 are in critical condition and 25 in serious condition.

In response to the tragedy, Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, announced immediate inspections of all housing estates where renovation works were underway.

The tragedy occurred on Wednesday around 3 p.m. local time (8 a.m. in Poland) in seven buildings of the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the Tai Po district in the north of the metropolis. A housing estate with approximately 2,000 apartments and over 4,700 registered residents. people, was undergoing general renovation. The fire broke out in one of the high-rise buildings and quickly spread to six other buildings.

Firefighters reported that the fire is now under control in all facilities of the complex. Investigators suspect that bamboo scaffolding and construction materials that probably did not meet fire safety standards may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Three people from the management board of a construction company were arrested and charged with failure to fulfill their duties and unintentional manslaughter. The police are searching their houses.

The #HongKongFire incl #TaiPo spread rapidly along bamboo scaffolding and plastic sheeting used for façade works, with flammable external materials now a key focus of the investigation.

Among the casualties, one firefighter was killed, and several were injured during the rescue.… pic.twitter.com/DEZClRZPTG

— Bridging News (@BridgingNews_) November 27, 2025

According to the South China Morning Post, firefighters managed to save an elderly man who had taken refuge on the roof of the 31st floor of a skyscraper. Deputy fire brigade director Wong Ka-wing emphasized that the operation was extremely difficult due to high temperatures and the risk of scaffolding collapse. – We will not give up any chance to save lives – he assured, adding that all premises were thoroughly checked.

Desperate families gather at temporary shelters. An elderly man interviewed by SCMP pleaded for help in finding his six-month-old granddaughter and her grandmother.. – I checked all the hospitals, there is no trace of them – he reported.

Financial support for rescue services and victims has been declared by several companies and institutions from China and Hong Kong, including the Jack Ma foundation, the founder of the Alibaba group, internet giants – ByteDance and Tencent, electronics and car manufacturers – Xiaomi and BYD, and branches of the Red Cross.

He expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, among others. President of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te.

It is the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades. The previous tragic disaster occurred in November 1996, when 41 people died in a fire in a commercial and residential building in the Kowloon district.

Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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