Hong Kong’s Deadliest Blaze in 80 Years Claims 128 Lives

The Hong Kong Wang Fuk Court fire death toll has risen to 128, marking one of the city’s deadliest blazes in 80 years. The fire broke out on November 26, 2025, in one of the eight residential towers in Tai Po and spread rapidly to seven 32-storey buildings.

Authorities say flammable materials, bamboo scaffolding and foam panels from renovation work helped the fire spread rapidly. Over 1,000 firefighters battled it for two days, evacuating 900+ residents, but many elderly people trapped on upper floors could not escape.

A joint investigation has been launched, with three members of the renovation company arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Officials are examining potential negligence, including the use of unsafe materials and failure to comply with fire safety standards.

The affected buildings reportedly lacked basic safety systems such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, and refuge floors — features mandatory in modern constructions but absent in older structures like Wang Fuk Court.

In response, the Hong Kong government has announced a HK$300 million (around ₹3.0 billion) relief fund and is reassessing fire safety regulations, including replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives.