Forty-four people have been killed and 279 remain missing after a massive blaze tore through a housing estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po area, with the death toll expected to rise significantly. The fire spread rapidly from tower block to tower block, igniting bamboo scaffolding around seven residential buildings.
Hospitals reported 45 people in serious condition, according to the Fire Services Department. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu addressed the public after visiting affected residents and promised a criminal investigation. Later in the day there were three arrests.
President Xi Jinping also sent condolences and called for maximum efforts to reduce casualties. The fire began at 14:51 on Wednesday and quickly escalated, producing towering plumes of smoke.