Hong Kong Crews Race Through Burned Towers Trying To Locate Hundreds Still Missing After Catastrophic Fire

Firefighters in Hong Kong tirelessly searched on Thursday for hundreds of individuals unaccounted for following a catastrophic fire that ravaged multiple high-rise residential towers. This tragic incident, the city’s deadliest in over seven decades, occurred at the Wang Fuk Court complex, which houses thousands of residents. The ongoing renovations are central to the inquiry, as police suspect that materials used on the buildings’ exteriors might have accelerated the fire’s rapid spread. Authorities have detained three construction executives on charges of manslaughter and gross negligence, while Chief Executive John Lee pledged a thorough investigation. The fire was unprecedented, escalating to a level five alert, with reports of explosions within the structure and difficulties in accessing upper floors. Among the deceased was firefighter Ho Wai-ho, 37, highlighting the human toll of this disaster. Temporary shelters have been established for evacuees. Expert analyses suggest that inadequate fire-retardant materials may have significantly intensified the blaze's ferocity.