Hong Kong High-Rise Fire Claims Over 90 Lives; Construction Firm Executives Arrested
A devastating fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court housing complex has resulted in at least 94 deaths, with authorities arresting three construction firm executives on manslaughter charges.
A massive fire erupted on November 26, 2025, at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 94 fatalities and over 70 injuries. The blaze, which began in the afternoon, rapidly spread across seven of the complex's eight high-rise towers, home to approximately 4,800 residents.
Authorities have arrested three individuals associated with Prestige Construction & Engineering Company—the firm responsible for the complex's renovation—on suspicion of manslaughter. Investigations suggest that flammable materials, including plastic foam panels used on the buildings' exteriors, contributed to the fire's rapid spread.
The Hong Kong government has initiated a comprehensive review of fire safety standards, considering the replacement of traditional bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives. Additionally, an anti-corruption probe into the renovation project has been launched.
This incident marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in decades, surpassing a 1996 blaze that claimed 41 lives.
Source
The New York TimesFact-checking
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