News Desk
HONG KONG: At least 36 people have died in a fire that swept through a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong, authorities said, as emergency teams continued battling the blaze and searching for survivors.
Officials reported that 29 people were injured, while 279 residents of the affected blocks were still unaccounted for. The cause of the fire remained unclear, and rescue teams said conditions inside the burning building were extremely difficult.
Hong Kong’s Fire Services Department classified the blaze as a “fourth-alarm” incident, one of the city’s most serious categories. Police said many people were trapped inside the building, and several firefighters were injured while trying to bring the flames under control.
Chinese state media reported that President Xi Jinping expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and directed authorities to ensure the blaze was brought under control as quickly as possible. He called for every effort to minimize further casualties and damage.
