Hong Kong, 26 November 2025 – A devastating fire tore through multiple towers of a large residential complex in Hong Kong on Wednesday morning, killing at least 36 people and leaving 279 others unaccounted for, according to the city’s Chief Executive.
The blaze, described by witnesses as “spectacular” and fast-moving, broke out in the early hours and rapidly engulfed several high-rise buildings within the complex. Thick black smoke billowed hundreds of metres into the sky, visible across large parts of the territory and prompting a massive emergency response.
Firefighters battled the inferno for hours, with dramatic television footage showing flames leaping from floor to floor and residents trapped on upper levels waving for help. Dozens of people were rescued from balconies and windows using ladders and aerial platforms.
By late afternoon, the Hong Kong Fire Services Department confirmed that the main fire had been brought under control, but secondary outbreaks continued in some sections of the severely damaged buildings.
Speaking at an evening press conference, Chief Executive John Lee offered his condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed the latest casualty figures. “This is an absolute tragedy for Hong Kong,” he said. “We are doing everything possible to locate the missing and support those affected.”
Authorities have not yet disclosed the exact location or name of the residential complex, nor the suspected cause of the fire. Investigators are examining whether flammable cladding, electrical faults, or other factors contributed to the rapid spread, echoing concerns raised after previous high-rise fires in the city and around the world.
Hospitals across Hong Kong reported treating more than 100 people for burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries sustained while escaping. Several victims remain in critical condition.
Search-and-rescue operations, assisted by specialist urban search teams, are continuing through the night amid fears that the death toll could rise further as crews reach upper floors that collapsed or became structurally unsafe.
The government has declared Thursday a day of mourning and set up emergency hotlines and temporary shelters for displaced residents.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and the full scale of the disaster becomes clear.
