HONG KONG — Flames and black smokes engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in a housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday.
According to the latest report from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, more than 50 people have been confirmed dead, including one firefighter.
Meanwhile, over 270 residents remain unaccounted for.
The affected housing complex, known as Wang Fuk Court, consists of eight 31-storey residential blocks and is home to more than 4,500 residents.
International media report that the fire began shortly before 3:00 PM and rapidly spread across all eight buildings, reaching a Level 5 alarm later in the evening.
Viral video from the scene shows the entire complex wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green construction netting, as the buildings were undergoing renovation.
On the other hand, the Hong Kong police have since arrested two construction company directors and an engineering consultant involved in the renovation project, on suspicion of manslaughter, particularly for gross. negligence and allegedly using substandard materials: “We have reason to believe that the company’s responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties.”
Authorities have not released the names of those arrested.
They also added that investigations are ongoing and the exact cause of the fire is still undetermined.
As of today, fire officials say the blaze is now under control in four of the eight tower blocks, while firefighting efforts continue in remaining sections.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents have been safely evacuated and moved to temporary shelters.
On the other hand, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, says it has received unverified reports that some Filipino domestic workers may have been trapped in the fire.
It said: “The Consulate received unverified information that some Filipino domestic workers may be trapped inside the buildings. The Consulate immediately passed on this information to authorities.”
However, as of this hour, the department confirms no reported Filipino deaths.
”The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, has not, as of this time, received any confirmed reports of Filipinos killed or injured as a result of the Level 5 fire at a residential complex in Tai Po in New Territories, Hong Kong,” it added.
It also adds that they are now coordinating with Hong Kong authorities to verify if any Filipinos were truly affected.
“The Consulate General continues to coordinate with the Hong Kong Police Force and stands ready to assist any Filipino national who may be affected or injured in the fire.”