A massive fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, killing at least 14 people and injuring more than 15 others.
The blaze, which began around 14:51 local time, rapidly spread across seven of the eight 31-storey blocks that house nearly 4,600 residents.
Hong Kong authorities classified the incident as a No. 5 alarm, the highest severity level and the first in 17 years.
The towers were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green netting for ongoing renovations, and footage showed flames racing upward through the highly combustible material.
Strong winds and falling debris further complicated efforts, preventing firefighters from entering the buildings for extended periods.
More than 760 firefighters, 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances, and 400 police officers were deployed as the fire continued burning into the night.
Deputy director Derek Armstrong Chan said intense heat and collapsing scaffolding posed severe risks to personnel.
Among the dead was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who collapsed while on duty and was later pronounced dead at hospital.
Nine victims were declared dead at the scene, and several residents remain missing.
Mass evacuations forced thousands from Wang Fuk Court and nearby buildings, with emergency shelters quickly reaching capacity.
Authorities established a hotline and an emergency monitoring centre while coaches transported displaced residents, including elderly people using wheelchairs, to overnight accommodation.