Tai Po (HRNW)– A fire erupted in one of the eight high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po area, sending thick smoke across the neighborhood. The complex houses at least 2,000 apartments.
The Hong Kong Fire Brigade raised the alert to level five, the highest emergency level, due to the severity of the blaze. Firefighters used ladders and cherry pickers to combat the fire, during which more than 5 personnel were injured.
The fire was brought under control after about an hour. Rescue operations recovered 9 bodies, while 27 injured people later died in hospitals. Two critically injured individuals remain under emergency care, and authorities fear the death toll may rise.
No official cause has been announced, although parts of the buildings were covered in bamboo scaffolding. The Transport Department closed a section of Tai Po Road, diverting buses to alternative routes.
Support relief efforts for fire victims and their families by donating at: https://www.hrnww.com
