## Hong Kong high-rise blaze Hong Kong is facing its deadliest high-rise fire in decades, with at least 55 people confirmed dead in a massive blaze that swept through a public housing complex. ### Human toll and missing persons The death toll has risen to 55, while authorities report that hundreds of residents from the affected towers remain missing or unaccounted for. Emergency services warn that the number of victims could still increase as search and rescue teams gain full access to all floors and apartments. ### Firefighting and rescue efforts Fire crews have spent many hours battling flames across several high-rise blocks, working their way through smoke-filled stairwells and damaged corridors. By late Thursday, officials said the remaining active fires in the public housing complex were largely under control, though some buildings were still smoldering. ### Scale of the operation Authorities deployed hundreds of firefighters, paramedics and dozens of fire engines, supported by drones to survey upper floors and hard-to-reach areas. Rescuers have evacuated and treated many injured residents, including elderly people, while also recovering bodies from severely burned apartments and stairwells. > Local officials describe the incident as Hong Kong’s worst high-rise blaze in many years, with the possibility that the final casualty numbers will be among the highest in the city’s modern history. ### Investigations and accountability Investigators are examining possible safety failures, including building materials and renovation work carried out at the residential complex. Several individuals connected to a construction firm working on the site have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter amid allegations of gross negligence and the use of unsafe materials. ### Government and public response Hong Kong’s leadership has ordered inspections of public housing projects undergoing major renovation to identify potential fire risks and strengthen safety measures. Officials have also pledged support for displaced residents and families of the victims, including temporary accommodation and financial assistance. #### Author’s summary A catastrophic fire in a Hong Kong public housing complex has left 55 dead and hundreds missing, spurring large-scale rescue efforts and a criminal probe into suspected safety negligence.

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Indiablooms — 2025-11-28