Deadly Fire in Hong Kong High-Rises Kills 128 Amid Corruption Probe

At least 128 people have died and dozens remain missing after a massive fire tore through multiple high-rise buildings at Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court. The blaze, worsened by flammable renovation materials and faulty fire alarms, injured 79 people. Authorities have launched a corruption probe related to the renovations, arresting eight people, while firefighters and volunteers continue aiding displaced residents.

At least 128 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, marking the city’s deadliest blaze in over seventy years. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized housing estate built in 1983, quickly spread across seven of the estate’s eight blocks, affecting thousands of residents. Authorities reported that 79 people were injured, dozens remain missing, and 89 bodies have yet to be identified, while 16 remain trapped inside the buildings.

Investigators have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, but officials noted that polystyrene and protective netting installed on the outside of the buildings during renovation works likely facilitated its rapid spread. Concerns have also arisen over the effectiveness of fire alarms, as many reportedly did not function properly during the blaze. Residents said some alarms may have been turned off by construction workers prior to the fire, and complaints about high renovation fees and questionable safety standards have resurfaced online.

Police have begun gathering evidence inside the affected buildings, with investigations expected to last three to four weeks. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) confirmed that eight people, including directors of an engineering company and scaffolding subcontractors, were arrested in connection with suspected corruption related to the renovation works. Three others had previously been detained on manslaughter charges. Authorities emphasized that those in charge at the construction company were believed to have been grossly negligent, contributing to the uncontrollable spread of the fire and the resulting casualties.

Firefighters worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, with a total of 2,311 personnel deployed. The fire reached temperatures of up to 500°C (932°F) and reignited in some areas even after being doused. Firefighting efforts ceased once the fire was fully extinguished at 10:18 local time on Friday. Among the dead was firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, who was found collapsed at the scene shortly after losing contact with his team. Twelve other firefighters were injured in the line of duty. Two Indonesian nationals working on the buildings were also killed, and many Indonesian and Filipino workers remain unaccounted for.

Families of the missing have been gathering at a nearby community hall opened to assist with identification efforts, with relatives asked to bring family photos to help recognize victims. The Hong Kong government has set up shelters and support centers for displaced residents, while volunteer groups are providing clothing, hygiene products, and other essential supplies. Many affected residents, traumatized by the disaster, have been unwilling to speak to the media.

Eyewitnesses described the blaze as terrifying, with flames spreading rapidly across the apartment blocks. One former resident said, “There was nothing we could do. Together we watched our homes burn gradually,” highlighting the speed and ferocity of the fire. The presence of flammable netting and other materials on the exterior of the buildings contributed to the rapid upward spread of the flames.

Wang Fuk Court housed 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 residents, nearly 40% of whom were aged 65 or older. Some residents had lived in the estate since it was first constructed. The scale of the tragedy has sparked shock and growing anger in Hong Kong, with many questioning who should be held accountable for the blaze.

Hong Kong’s deadliest fire on record occurred in 1948, when 176 people were killed following a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The current disaster, with its combination of structural hazards, renovation-related negligence, and potential safety lapses, has raised urgent concerns about fire safety regulations and enforcement in the city.