Death toll rises to 146 in Hong Kong apartment fire: “A wake‑up call for everyone”

Monday, December 1, 2025 -A massive fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong, leaving 146 people dead and many more unaccounted for. 

Officials from the disaster victim‑identification unit recovered bodies from flats, staircases, and rooftops as they worked to comb through the wreckage. So far, search teams have examined four of the seven affected buildings, but the search remains ongoing, and investigators warn that the final toll could rise.

The blaze started on scaffolding wrapped around the buildings — part of ongoing renovation work — and spread quickly, fuelled by inflammable materials such as foam panels and safety netting. 

Fire alarms reportedly failed in parts of the complex, blocking timely escape for many residents. As the city mourns, a makeshift memorial has grown outside the charred buildings, with residents leaving flowers and notes in tribute to the victims.

Authorities have responded by ordering an immediate halt to all ongoing projects by the contractor involved, pending safety audits and investigations into possible violations of construction and fire‑safety codes. 

Meanwhile, many displaced residents have been relocated to emergency shelters or temporary housing, and public outrage is growing over regulatory failures. As one mourner observed: “This really serves as a wake‑up call for everyone, especially with these super high‑rise buildings.”