A massive fire engulfed a residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on November 26, 2025, killing at least 128 people and leaving around 200 unaccounted for. Rescue operations concluded on November 28, with investigations pointing to unsafe renovation materials and faulty fire alarms. At least 23 Filipino domestic workers required assistance, including one injured and one missing, according to Philippine officials.
The blaze at Wang Fuk Court, a high-rise apartment complex housing over 4,600 residents, started on the afternoon of November 26, 2025, and quickly spread to seven of its eight 32-story blocks. The buildings were covered in bamboo scaffolding, green mesh, and foam insulation as part of ongoing renovations, which authorities suspect contributed to the rapid fire spread. Fire alarms in the estate were not functioning properly, exacerbating the disaster.
Rescue efforts ended on November 28, but police continued searching the charred structures for more remains, warning that the death toll of 128 could rise. Only 39 victims had been identified by November 29. This marks Hong Kong's deadliest fire since 1948, when 176 died in a warehouse blaze, drawing parallels to the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London that killed 72.
Eleven people, including directors and consultants from Prestige Construction, were arrested on suspicions of manslaughter, corruption, and using flammable materials like foam boards. Residents had complained about fire hazards in September 2024, including the flammability of the green mesh, but were told risks were low. Hong Kong leader John Lee observed three minutes of silence on November 29, with flags at half-mast, and announced a HK$300 million ($40 million) relief fund. Volunteers set up support camps, distributing aid around the clock.
For Filipinos, the Philippine consulate reported one overseas Filipino worker in intensive care and one missing, with no confirmed deaths. A total of 23 domestic workers needed welfare assistance after joint visits to shelters. However, Edwina Antonio of Bethune House stated that 19 Filipinos were still missing. Representative Bryan Revilla called for a 24/7 assistance desk at the consulate to provide monitoring, communication, and support, highlighting vulnerabilities like the live-in policy for migrant workers. At least two Indonesian domestic workers also perished.