Thursday, 27 November 2025

Death toll hits 55 in Hong Kong’s worst fire in 7 decades | SCMP

What we know so far:

  • 55 people, including a firefighter, have died. Fifty-one were found dead at the scene
  • 76 people are in hospital – 15 in a critical condition, 28 deemed serious
  • Another 62 people are still trapped inside seven buildings
  • Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman, an elderly man and pets evacuated
  • The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh
  • Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam material used in renovation works caused fire to spread rapidly
  • Government has launched criminal investigations to find cause of blaze
  • Three people - two directors and a consultant of the contractor behind the renovations - have been arrested for manslaughter
  • Graftbusters launch probe into repair works that had price tag of HK$330 million
  • Police are searching premises of management firm running estate
  • Fires at four of the seven buildings have been put out and blazes in remaining three have been brought under control
  • Death toll surpasses 1996 Garley building fire where 41 perished
  • Campaigning has been suspended ahead of the December 7 Legco election, Lee says he will review need to postpone the poll
  • Read more...