36 were burnt alive, while more than 280 are missing in a massive fire that broke out in 7 multistorey buildings of a high-rise residential estate in Hong Kong. Apart from this, 29 people are admitted in hospitals. The search team is still searching for the missing people.
Hongkong Fire: 36 were burnt alive in a massive fire that broke out in 7 multistorey buildings of a high-rise residential estate in Hong Kong, while more than 280 are missing. Apart from this, 29 people are admitted in hospitals. Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer John Lee said that the search team is still searching for the missing people. Smoke is coming out from the burnt towers.
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4800 people live in 2000 apartments in 8 blocks.
According to reports, a fire broke out on bamboo scaffolding and construction net outside a housing complex in the Tai Po district of the New Territories in Hong Kong, causing a plume of flames which gradually engulfed the surrounding buildings. This housing complex consists of 8 blocks, which have approximately 2000 apartments and house 4800 people. Many videos have surfaced from the spot, in which it can be seen how many buildings near each other are burning and heavy smoke is coming out from them.
128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances present to extinguish the fire
The Fire Service Department said that the fire broke out in the afternoon and after nightfall, officials declared it a Level 5 alarm, which is the most serious level. 128 fire trucks and 57 ambulances were present at the spot. Firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire. According to Fire Services Department Director Andy Yeung, a firefighter is also among the dead.
Shelters built for 700 homeless people
Taipo District Council member Lo Hiu-fung told local TV station TVB on Wednesday that most of the people trapped in the fire appeared to be elderly. Temporary shelters have been opened for more than 700 people made homeless by the fire. A man named Wu, who survived the accident, told local TV channel TVB, “I have stopped thinking about my property. It was really a tearful moment to see it burning like this.”
3 lakh people live in Tai Po
According to eyewitnesses, people gathered on the roads passing above as the fire spread rapidly on buildings covered with bamboo scaffolding. About 3 lakh people live in Tai Po district. This is one of the most crowded urban areas of Hong Kong. Nearby roads are currently closed and bus routes have been changed as firefighters sweep every floor to find survivors.
Bamboo scaffolding is used in building buildings in Hong Kong
Let us tell you that Tai Po is a sub-urban area of New Territories, which is in the northern part of Hong Kong and near the border of the mainland Chinese city of Shenzhen. Bamboo scaffolding is common in building and renovation projects in Hong Kong, although the government said earlier this year it would gradually begin removing it for public projects due to safety concerns. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep sorrow over this accident and appealed to control the problem quickly. Jinping has asked officials to make every possible effort to extinguish the fire and reduce the loss of lives.