The final death toll from a catastrophic fire that engulfed a Hong Kong housing complex has been confirmed at 168, authorities announced today, marking one of the deadliest blazes in the city’s recent history. The announcement came after officials completed identifying all victims from the November inferno, raising the count from the previously reported 161 and underscoring the profound loss in a community still grappling with the aftermath.
Hong Kong police detailed on Thursday that the victims included 110 women and 58 men, with ages ranging from six months to 98 years old. Many were elderly residents who had lived for decades in the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, a complex housing about 4,600 people, nearly 40 percent of whom were over 65. All sets of remains have been identified and families notified, with no missing persons unaccounted for, bringing a somber closure to the search efforts.
The fire broke out on the afternoon of November 26, rapidly spreading across seven of the estate’s eight towers during a large-scale renovation. Officials attributed the blaze’s intensity and rapid spread to substandard mesh netting installed outside windows, polystyrene boards sealed to the structures, and failures in fire alarm systems. The inferno raged for more than a day, requiring thousands of firefighters to bring it under control, in a response that highlighted the scale of the disaster.
Among the deceased was 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who died during the firefighting operation, along with 10 foreign domestic workers—nine from Indonesia and one from the Philippines—as well as five construction workers and two interior decorators. The diverse toll reflects the broad impact on the community, with four victims pronounced dead after being taken to hospital and 164 recovered at the scene, painting a harrowing picture of the event’s immediacy and chaos.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hong Kong’s government has faced intense scrutiny over potential negligence and corruption. More than 30 people have been arrested on suspicions of manslaughter, fraud, or corruption related to the fire. City leader John Lee has pledged to pursue accountability impartially, proposing increased supervision of building maintenance projects and strengthened fire safety measures, including possible bans on smoking at construction sites.
Investigations into the cause remain ongoing, with a report expected to be submitted to the coroner for a potential death inquest. Authorities have refrained from publicly naming all victims out of respect for grieving families, while local media report that a full list may be released in due course. The disaster has sparked public anger and calls for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in Hong Kong’s aging infrastructure.
As the community mourns, with memorials and flowers placed at the site, the final death toll serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols and regulatory oversight. The event has prompted discussions on improving urban resilience, with implications for future policy changes aimed at safeguarding residents in high-density housing across the city.
