The authorities’ latest report shows at least 44 deaths. The fire is affecting a residential complex where more than 4,500 people live.
The fire that broke out on Wednesday in a residential complex in Hong Kong is already considered the worst in more than 60 years. At least 44 people died and 61 were injured, 15 of which were seriously injured.
Authorities also report at least 279 missingin a housing complex where more than 4,500 people live and which is made up of eight buildings with 31 floors.
The fire, which broke out at around 2:50 pm (local time, 6:50 am in Lisbon) on Wednesday, remains active 24 hours later and being fought by firefighters. There are still people trapped inside. ARescue operations have been hampered by very high temperatures.
The origin of the fire is not yet known, but In the meantime, an investigation was opened to find out what happened and three people were arrested. It is known, however, that the complex was undergoing repair work – for which bamboo scaffolding, an extremely flammable material, was being used.
Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where bamboo is still used in construction.
He was High alert declared in Hong Kong for the first time in 17 years and this is already considered the deadliest fire in more than 60 years – the last two records date back to August 1962 – when 44 people died in Sham Shui Po – and November 1996, when 41 people died in a building in Kowloon.
