44 Confirmed Dead, Hundreds Missing in Hong Kong Fire; Manslaughter Arrests Made

A devastating fire ripped through a residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 44 and leaving 279 people missing. The inferno, which started Wednesday afternoon, rapidly spread across seven of eight towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex, a densely populated area. Firefighters battled the raging flames throughout the night, with rescue operations continuing into Thursday morning. Authorities have apprehended three men, identified as company officials and an engineering consultant, on charges of manslaughter, citing gross negligence in connection with the fire. The blaze is suspected to have begun on the exterior scaffolding of one of the buildings, quickly ascending the structure and jumping to neighboring towers. Concerns have been raised about the safety standards of construction materials, including the use of flammable insulation boards found near blocked windows. Over 60 people were injured and transported to hospitals. This fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong in nearly 30 years, prompting a thorough investigation into construction and safety practices, particularly concerning renovations on older buildings. The scale of the tragedy has shocked the city and led to international expressions of sympathy.