Death toll rises in skyscraper fire: Casualties increase in Hong Kong disaster, 279 people still missing

It has been reported that 44 people lost their lives and 279 people remain unaccounted for following a fire that broke out yesterday in a large residential complex consisting of 8 apartment buildings in the Tai Po district of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

According to information provided by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP), the number of dead and injured in the Tai Po fire continues to rise as teams carry out intensive work in the area.

It was stated that the fire, which began around noon and affected a complex containing more than 1,900 apartments, grew rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of the buildings used for renovations.

According to data shared by the local fire department, a total of 44 people, including one firefighter, have lost their lives in the fire so far. It was announced that 45 of the injured who were taken to hospitals remain in critical condition.

In the complex, where approximately 4,000 people are believed to live, 3 of the 7 apartment buildings under the influence of the flames have been brought under control, while it was announced that the fire continues in 4 buildings.

While search efforts for the 279 missing people continue, a total of 26 fire crews are carrying out extinguishing operations without interruption.

INVESTIGATION INTO 3 SUSPECTS

Authorities announced that two managers and a consulting engineer from the construction company carrying out the renovation work at the site have been detained on suspicion of "manslaughter by negligence" in connection with the fire.

Assessments highlighting that the bamboo scaffolding used during the renovations and the plastic foam material covering the windows caused the fire to grow rapidly are coming to the fore.

Chief Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee said, "We have reasons to believe that the responsible persons of the company were grossly negligent in the incident, and this caused the fire to spread rapidly and led to a large number of casualties."

Secretary for Security Chris Tang stated that initial assessments showed the fire grew with extraordinary speed and that plastic foam insulation materials were a major factor in this, adding, "We observed that the material covering the building walls, the nets surrounding the scaffolding, and the waterproof tarpaulins caused the flames to spread faster than they would have with standard-compliant materials."

LEVEL 5 EMERGENCY ALERT

In the 5-tier system used to measure the severity of fires in Hong Kong, the highest level, a Level 5 alarm, was issued for the first time in 17 years.

It was reported that two neighboring residential complexes in the area were also evacuated. It was stated that approximately 900 people have been placed in 8 temporary shelters that were set up.

Authorities announced that more than 140 firefighting vehicles and over 800 medical and fire personnel have been dispatched to the region. It was noted that surrounding roads were also closed to traffic due to the fire.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT XI

Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed his condolences to the Hong Kong administration for those who lost their lives in the fire and instructed the Beijing Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office to provide support to the region.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu stated that he was deeply saddened by the loss of life. Lee expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

It was stated that an emergency cabinet meeting has been called to coordinate all efforts regarding the fire.