At least 36 killed and hundreds missing after huge blaze at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po district on Wednesday. Follow the latest updates live
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Full report: Death toll in Hong Kong tower block fire rises to 36 with 279 reported missing
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Bamboo scaffolding may be to blame for spread of Hong Kong tower block fire
At least 36 people are dead after a huge fire engulfed several residential high rises at the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po. The complex is made up of eight 31-storey towers, contenting about 2,000 flats. Around 4,800 people live there.
Another 279 people are missing, John Lee, the city’s leader, said earlier today. Dozens of others were hospitalised.
More than 128 fire engines and nearly 800 firefighters were dispatched the scene, where they have spent hours trying to get the blazes under control. At least one firefighter was among the dead.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known after it reportedly started just before 3pm local time, quickly spreading through the buildings, which were covered in bamboo scaffolding.
Welcome to our live blog after a devastating fire broke out at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong. We’ll bring you the latest updates – including from a press conference with Hong Kong police – soon.
