Death Toll Rises to 128 in Hong Kong High-Rise Fire

Hope of finding survivors has dwindled, with many residents of the Wang Fuk Court towers still unaccounted for.

Eight more people were arrested on Friday in connection with the deadly fire at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise complex in Hong Kong, as the confirmed death toll reached 128 and the list of missing residents remained long. Authorities described the blaze as one of the city’s most lethal incidents in decades and warned that the number of victims could still grow.

Situation in Wang Fuk Court

Many residents of the densely populated Wang Fuk Court towers are still unaccounted for, and officials estimate that hundreds may have been in the buildings when the fire broke out. With rescue teams working through the debris, emergency services reported that more than 70 people have been hospitalized, several of them in critical condition.

Rescue workers are now focused mainly on recovery rather than rescue, as the intense heat and structural damage have made it difficult to reach upper floors. Families waiting near the site have been told that the chances of finding survivors are increasingly slim.

Official Response and Arrests

City officials announced that a range of what they called “nonessential” government and construction activities would be suspended to concentrate resources on the aftermath of the disaster. The authorities also emphasized that support services, including temporary housing and counseling, would be made available to survivors and affected families.

Eight additional suspects were detained on Friday, adding to earlier arrests in the investigation into how the fire spread so quickly through the complex. Those arrested are reported to have ties to firms involved in renovation work and the installation of materials around the buildings.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

Investigators are examining whether building materials, scaffolding and external coverings contributed to the rapid spread of the flames between the towers. Officials have suggested that some of these materials may not have met required safety standards, prompting a wider review of similar high-rise projects.

Authorities have signaled that they will scrutinize oversight practices in public housing and renovation projects across the city, seeking to identify potential negligence. The tragedy has also renewed public debate about fire safety in densely populated high-rise estates and the protection of low-income residents.

Author’s summary: The Hong Kong high-rise fire at Wang Fuk Court left 128 dead, many missing and dozens injured, triggering arrests, safety probes and a sweeping review of construction and housing oversight in the city.

The New York Times — 2025-11-29