A catastrophic fire has torn through a Hong Kong apartment complex, claiming at least 83 lives and leaving more than 300 people missing in what authorities describe as the city's deadliest blaze in nearly 80 years.
The devastating inferno, which broke out on Thursday 27 November 2025, has prompted mass evacuations and triggered a desperate rescue operation as emergency services continue to search through smouldering wreckage for survivors.
Construction Negligence and Arrests
Hong Kong police have taken three construction bosses into custody on suspicion of manslaughter following the tragedy. Investigators allege gross negligence in the use of unsafe building materials, including non-compliant protective nets and highly flammable plastic sheets.
The fire originated on external bamboo scaffolding surrounding a 32-storey residential tower, rapidly spreading to neighbouring high-rise buildings. The incident has raised serious questions about Hong Kong's long-standing practice of using bamboo in construction projects across the densely populated city.
Heroic Rescue Efforts and Tragic Loss
Firefighters battled extreme heat and collapsing scaffolding in their desperate attempt to reach residents trapped within the burning complex. Among the tragedy emerged stories of remarkable bravery, particularly that of firefighter Ho Wai Ho.
The 37-year-old rescuer lost his life while saving residents from the blaze. His gallantry has been widely mourned, with condolences extended from Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside tributes from local authorities and heartbroken colleagues.
Aftermath and Ongoing Crisis
The scale of the disaster continues to unfold as rescue teams work through the dangerous remains of the affected buildings. The Hong Kong government has provided temporary accommodation for 900 evacuated residents displaced by the catastrophic event.
With dozens injured and hundreds still unaccounted for, this tragedy represents one of the most severe building fires in Hong Kong's modern history, echoing devastating blazes from the city's past and prompting urgent questions about construction safety standards.
