Rescue and relief operations are continuing in Hong Kong as authorities say the fire at Wang Fuk Court, a residential area in Tai Po, has been largely brought under control.
The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 75 people, injuring 76, with many more still missing.
Wang Fuk Court consists of eight residential buildings, all of which were undergoing major renovations, including exterior wall repairs. At the time of the fire, scaffolding and protective netting covered the buildings, with the fire swiftly spreading to all eight buildings.
The fire has been largely brought under control with 55 people rescued by firefighters, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday.
Following the outbreak of the fire, the HKSAR government dispatched 26 search-and-rescue teams, more than 300 fire and ambulance vehicles, and over 1,200 firefighters.
Medical authorities activated emergency response protocols to provide full medical support for the injured.
Nine temporary shelters have been set up in Tai Po to shelter residents of the towers who have been displaced by the fires. Communities and organizations across Hong Kong have mobilized to donate supplies, with many residents volunteering to help register affected individuals and distribute relief supplies at shelters.
Officials from the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR visited a community center in Tai Po and the Prince of Wales Hospital on Thursday morning to express condolences to bereaved and injured residents. The officials said the central government will continue to fully support the HKSAR government in rescue and recovery efforts.
Rescue efforts underway as fire in Hong Kong residential area largely contained
Rescue efforts underway as fire in Hong Kong residential area largely contained
