Fire in Hong Kong: 55 dead, hundreds missing.

Fire in Hong Kong: Number of victims rises

According to ТСН: The death toll in the fire in Hong Kong skyscrapers has reached 55. Approximately 300 people are still missing.

Firefighting at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in the northern part of the city continues. Firefighters are facing difficulties in conducting rescue operations due to heavy smoke.

According to preliminary information, people may still be inside the buildings. In total, about 900 people have been evacuated from the buildings, 68 of whom have been taken to the hospital, 16 of them in critical condition. Among the 55 dead is one firefighter.

Hong Kong police have arrested three men in connection with the fire investigation. All three have been charged with manslaughter. The detainees are two construction company directors and a consulting engineer.

The fire started at Wang Fuk Court, a large residential complex in the Tai Po area, at 14:51 local time on Wednesday.

Wang Fuk Court consists of eight high-rise buildings, each with 31 floors. The residential towers are covered with bamboo scaffolding to the roofs as they undergo renovation.

Bamboo scaffolding has been used in Hong Kong for centuries, as bamboo grows quickly, is lightweight, and strong. Many people consider it a cultural part of the urban landscape, although Hong Kong is one of the last cities in the world where it is still used in modern construction.

The Hong Kong Fire Service has classified this fire as a fifth-level danger, which is the highest on the scale. The last similar fire occurred in Hong Kong 17 years ago.

This tragic event has attracted attention not only from local residents but also from the media worldwide. Recovery from such a disaster will require efforts from the authorities, rescue services, and the community, especially in terms of ensuring the safety of residential buildings and improving fire safety regulations in the city.