After days of devastating flames at the Tai Po housing estate, authorities declare an end to rescue efforts, warning the death toll may rise as the search for 200 missing people continues.
November 28, 2025: The Hong Kong government announced on Friday that it has officially wrapped up its primary rescue efforts following a massive, deadly blaze that engulfed a residential tower earlier in the week. Authorities have stated that the confirmed death toll from the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po has risen to 128.
Speaking to reporters, Secretary for Security Chris Tang confirmed that 128 people have died and at least 79 people have been injured. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, quickly escalated into one of the worst blazes the city has witnessed in decades. Despite the formal conclusion of the rescue operations, Tang stressed that the search for an estimated 200 people who remain missing and unaccounted for will continue. Authorities plan to “force entry into all the units of the seven blocks concerned so as to ensure that there is no other possible casualties,” a process that may result in a further increase in the death toll.
Over 1,000 firefighters worked for 24 hours to bring the massive fire under control. Even after the fire was contained, smoke continued to billow from the site for two days, causing occasional flare-ups.
In a related development, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has launched a probe into the tragedy, focusing on reported negligence during recent renovations at the building. The agency announced on Thursday that it is investigating possible corruption connected to the renovation project. The probe has already led to the arrest of at least three men—the directors and an engineering consultant of a construction company—on suspicion of manslaughter.