The Chan sisters, aged 65, 62 and 59, have noodles and milk tea for breakfast while sitting on a curb. They have spent two nights sleeping on mats and blankets in the Kwong Fuk civic center, in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. They are residents of Wang Fuk Court, the housing complex where violence broke out on Wednesday afternoon. the biggest tragedy in recent Hong Kong historya megafire that has caused at least 128 deaths and 79 injuries, a dozen in critical condition, according to the latest count from the authorities offered this Friday. In addition, the whereabouts of around 200 people are “uncertain.” That figure includes 80 bodies that “have not been able to be identified,” reported Security Minister Chris Tang.
“We were warned by a neighbor who knocked on our door. The alarms did not sound,” says the eldest of the sisters, while stirring the contents of her plate with chopsticks. The director of the fire service, Andy Yeung Yan-kin, confirmed this afternoon that the sirens “did not work” in any of the blocks. “I don’t know what would have happened to us,” Mrs. Chan murmurs. The three are tired, but, above all, dismayed by what they consider negligence. The shock is giving way to indignation around Wang Fuk Court, where questions are multiplying about how the fire could engulf seven of the eight skyscrapers that make up the development in a matter of minutes. Neighbors demand responsibilities.
Although the causes of the fire remain unknown – there are several investigations underway and five detainees – the Minister of Security explained this Friday that the fire originated on the ground floor of the block called Wang Cheong House, and that it spread rapidly vertically. Although police initially investigated the mesh used to cover the buildings, which were under construction, Tang has confirmed that it was not flammable. However, he has pointed out that it was the presence of polystyrene sheets (these were highly combustible) attached to the windows that unusually accelerated the spread of the flames, since, when burning, they generated such high temperatures that they made the glass explode, allowing them to penetrate the interior of the homes.
Bamboo scaffolding, a material still used in construction in Hong Kong, has also been cited as a factor fueling the fire. The local government had proposed gradually replacing this type of cane scaffolding with other metal ones, but some unions opposed banning this material, citing its flexibility, according to several Hong Kong media.
The urbanization renovation plan, started last year and scheduled until the middle of next year, was valued at 330 million Hong Kong dollars (about 36.6 million euros) and was opposed by a large part of the residentsseveral of them have confirmed to EL PAÍS.
According to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Postthe company in charge of the works, Prestige Construction & Engineering, was convicted in 2023 for two safety violations in a projectaccording to the records of the city’s Department of Labor, which only offers information on its website from the last two years. Local authorities revealed late Thursday that the company had 11 other projects underway in private residential developments, which have already been inspected. The day before, the police arrested two directors and a consultant of the firm, who are accused of gross negligence. This Friday, two directors of the contracted consulting firm, Will Power Architects, were also arrested.
The fire has already been completely extinguished this Friday afternoon, but rescue teams continue to work tirelessly, even as hopes of finding survivors inside the skyscrapers begin to diminish.
The Choy couple have slept in a tent since they were evacuated. They appreciate the “tireless” work of the firefighters and the hundreds of volunteers who have mobilized to assist those affected. Solidarity has flooded social networks, where dozens of groups created to coordinate shifts of support and distribution of supplies circulate. “I have found everything I could need at the center,” says Mrs. Choy. However, he shares his concern for the future. “Even when we can return home, we won’t feel safe,” he protests.
The insurer of the burned complex, China Taiping Insurance, is offering up to 2 billion Hong Kong dollars (222 million euros) for material and fire-related damages. The policy provides public liability coverage of up to 20 million Hong Kong dollars (2.22 million euros) for each death, according to SCMP.
Hong Kong, a former British colony that London returned to Beijing in 1997, is one of the most densely populated areas on the planet, with a huge concentration of high-rise residential blocks and buildings very close together. It is estimated that in Wang Fuk Courtwhich has 1,984 homes, around 4,600 residents live in apartments of between 37 and 46 square meters. According to 2021 census data, more than a third of renters are 65 years old or older, and between a quarter and a third are in the 40 to 64 age group. The group of buildings is part of the Government’s subsidized housing program and has been occupied since 1983.
