Hong Kong begins three days of mourning after deadly apartment fires

Sunday, November 30, 2025 -Hong Kong has started a formal, three‑day mourning period after a catastrophic fire at Wang Fuk Court in the Tai Po district, which has become one of the deadliest residential disasters in the city’s recent history. 

The blaze — which engulfed seven of the complex’s eight high‑rise apartment towers, many of them wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and combustible protective nets — claimed at least 128 lives. As authorities continue rescue and recovery operations, around 150–200 people remain unaccounted for.

The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and shock across Hong Kong. The city’s leader and other top officials joined a three‑minute silence at government headquarters, while national and regional flags were flown at half‑mast. 

Citizens have gathered near the burnt-out complex to lay flowers, light candles, and leave messages of condolence — expressing solidarity with the victims and support for displaced residents.

As mourning continues, scrutiny has turned to potential safety violations and negligence tied to the building’s renovation project. Preliminary investigations point to flammable exterior materials — including foam insulation and plastic netting — along with malfunctioning fire alarms, as contributing factors to the rapid spread of the fire. 

Several individuals involved in the renovation work have been arrested on suspicion of negligence, and there is growing public demand for accountability and stricter fire‑safety enforcement.