A devastating fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has tragically claimed the lives of 44 people, with an alarming 279 residents still unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the blaze that erupted Wednesday afternoon. The fire rapidly consumed seven of the eight towers at the Wang Fuk Court complex, a residential area in the New Territories. Hundreds were evacuated as thick smoke and flames poured from the high-rise buildings. Officials reported that 40 victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while 62 others sustained injuries, many suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation. The fire, believed to be Hong Kong’s deadliest in nearly three decades, reportedly started on external scaffolding of a 32-story tower and quickly spread, exacerbated by windy conditions and potentially substandard construction materials. The arrested individuals, identified as directors and an engineering consultant of the construction firm responsible for recent renovations, are accused of gross negligence. Investigations are ongoing, focusing on inflammable materials found blocking windows and other safety standard concerns. Rescue operations faced significant challenges due to high temperatures and the rapid spread of the inferno. The government had previously planned to phase out bamboo scaffolding on public projects due to safety risks, a practice common in Hong Kong’s construction industry.
