Firefighters continued rescue operations on Thursday, the second day after a massive fire engulfed a residential tower complex in Hong Kong. The disaster has resulted in a sharp rise in casualties and many people remain unaccounted for.
Rescue teams are battling intense flames and rescuing residents trapped inside the tower. Authorities face challenges due to the complexity of the building structure and the scale of the fire.
"The fire has caused significant devastation. Our priority remains the search and rescue of survivors," said an official involved in the response.
Local emergency services are working tirelessly amid difficult conditions to contain the blaze and provide aid to victims.
Author’s summary: The devastating fire in a Hong Kong tower complex has killed 44 and left 279 missing, with rescue operations ongoing despite challenging circumstances.