Tragic Fire in Tai Po has Caused 13 Deaths and 15 Injuries, 767 Firemen and Paramedics Involved in Rescue

At around 8 p.m., the authorities held an inter-departmental press conference to explain the situation of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. It's stated that the fire had caused at least 13 deaths and 15 injuries, including a fireman who sacrificed. The injured were sent to several hospitals for treatment. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department has dispatched 767 firefighters and paramedics for on-site rescue.

The tragic fire in Tai Po

Mr. Chan Derek Armstrong, the Dep Director of Fire Services (Operations), Mr. Tang Wing Wah, the Assistant Director (New Territories North), Mr. Chou Wing Yin, the Asst Ch Ambulance Offr (New Territories East), Mr. Kong Wing Cheung, the Dist Commander (Tai Po), Mr. Siu Aubrey, the SP (Enforcement & Control Div) (East Operational Base) (Traffic NTN), Ms. Chan Hau Man, the Dist Offr (Tai Po), and Ms. Fung Man Yu, the Dist Social Welfare Offr (Tai Po/N) have explained the details on the spot.

Representatives from multiple government departments attended the press conference, Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

Mr. Chan first extended the deepest condolences on behalf of the Fire Services Department to the families of the deceased and injured. He pointed out that the fire broke out first at Wang Cheong House in the housing estate. Initially, the fire area was 27 meters by 27 meters. Due to the continuous spread of the fire and the constant calls for help from citizens, the department needed to increase the number of rescue personnel and thus raised the fire alarm to level five. The department mobilized 8 fire hoses and 7 steel ladders to spray water for rescue. A total of 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances and 767 firemen and paramedics were dispatched.

The No.5 Alarm Fire in Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chou Wing Yin, the Asst Ch Ambulance Offr (New Territories East), Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

The rescue personnel are sending the injured people to the hospitals, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chou said that the Fire Services Department has dealt with a total of 28 injured people, among whom 9 were confirmed dead on the spot, 6 were seriously injured and sent to the hospital, and 4 died after being sent to the hospital. The injured were sent to North District Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po for treatment, respectively. Among the injured and deceased, one fireman sacrificed, one principal fireman suffered a foot injury, and one fireman suffered from heat exhaustion.

Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan Derek Armstrong, the Dep Director of Fire Services (Operations), Photo source: FB of the Fire Services Department

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City star Joško Gvardiol is back in training after four months out with a broken leg, with Pep Guardiola saying Friday he hopes the defender is ready to “make a good World Cup" with Croatia.

Gvardiol underwent surgery after sustaining a fracture to his right leg in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League on Jan. 4.

It left in doubt Gvardiol's availability for the World Cup starting June 11, but Guardiola said the versatile defender is “feeling good” after being seen taking part in a practice session on Thursday.

“Last season he was the important player for us when we had many injuries — he played all the games and, in the end, the body says enough is enough,” Guardiola said. “Happy he is back. Hopefully he can help us in the last part of the season and make a good World Cup with Croatia and next season we can have him again at his best.”

City plays Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday and Guardiola said there was a chance Rodri might be back after a hamstring injury caused the Spain midfielder to miss the last three games, including the costly 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.

That left second-place City five points behind Arsenal, with a game in hand. Arsenal has three matches remaining and has regained pole position in the title race.

City also plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 16.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

FILE- Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol reacts after Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze scored opening goal during the English FA Cup final soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, file)

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola sits on the bench before the FA Cup semifinal soccer match between Manchester City and Southampton in Manchester, England, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)