- A massive fire swept through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, killing at least 65 people and injuring 70, with 279 reported missing.
- Fire spread rapidly across seven of eight high-rise buildings, fueled by bamboo scaffolding, construction netting, and possibly flammable materials like Styrofoam on exterior walls.
- Firefighters faced extreme heat, falling debris, and blocked staircases while rescuing residents. About 900 people were evacuated to temporary shelters.
- Three men, including two directors and an engineering consultant of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter for gross negligence.
- The government announced a HK$300 million ($38.6 million) relief fund for affected residents and is reviewing safety regulations for scaffolding and construction materials.
- The fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong in decades, surpassing a 1996 commercial building fire that killed 41 people.
Hong Kong Apartment Complex Fire Death Toll Rises to at Least 65
