Hong Kong Fire Search Ends, Death Toll Hits 159 in Tragic Blaze

Search Operation Concludes After Devastating Hong Kong Apartment Fire

Hong Kong authorities have officially concluded the search operation following the catastrophic fire that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in late November 2025, with the death toll now standing at 159 victims. The blaze, which ranks as one of Hong Kong's deadliest residential fires in decades, has left 31 people still missing as rescue teams completed combing through all seven affected high-rise buildings.

The massive search operation lasted for days due to challenging conditions within the charred structures. 'The visibility inside the buildings remained extremely poor even days after the fire was extinguished,' explained a police spokesperson. 'We had to proceed with extreme caution to ensure we didn't miss any victims while also protecting our rescue teams.'

Bamboo Scaffolding and Safety Failures

Investigators have identified multiple safety failures that contributed to the rapid spread of the inferno. The buildings were undergoing renovation with traditional bamboo scaffolding wrapped in construction netting that failed to meet fire safety standards. According to authorities, 7 out of 20 netting samples tested failed fire safety requirements, and the netting had been damaged during a July typhoon and replaced with non-compliant material.

Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old construction tradition in Hong Kong, has come under intense scrutiny following the tragedy. While defenders argue that properly constructed bamboo scaffolding is safe and culturally significant, critics point to its flammability and the vertical orientation of bamboo poles that allowed the fire to spread rapidly upward without resistance.

'The bamboo scaffolding acted like a chimney, channeling the flames directly upward,' said fire safety expert Dr. Li Wei in an interview with CNN. 'Combined with the flammable polystyrene panels covering windows and the substandard netting, it created a perfect storm for disaster.'

Arrests and Investigation

The police investigation has resulted in 21 arrests so far, with the latest six detainees being employees of a subcontractor responsible for fire alarm systems. These individuals are suspected of falsely telling firefighters that alarms would remain operational during renovation work when they were actually disabled.

Fifteen of those arrested are being investigated for manslaughter by gross negligence, according to reports from CNN. Hong Kong leader John Lee has vowed that 'justice will be served' for what he called an 'unprecedented tragedy.'

An independent committee led by a judge has been established to investigate the fire's cause and rapid spread. The committee will examine building design, fire safety measures, emergency response protocols, and regulatory enforcement.

Victims and Community Impact

The fire affected approximately 4,600 residents living in nearly 2,000 apartments across the seven 31-story buildings. Many victims were elderly residents, with the youngest confirmed victim being a one-year-old child and the oldest a 97-year-old resident. The tragedy has also claimed the lives of seven Indonesian migrant workers and one Filipina domestic helper.

Over 900 residents have been displaced, with temporary shelters established in community centers and schools. The government has announced compensation packages for victims' families and support for displaced residents.

'This is not just a tragedy for the families affected, but for all of Hong Kong,' said community organizer Chan Mei-ling. 'We need to ask hard questions about why our safety systems failed so catastrophically.'

National Response and Building Safety Reforms

In response to the disaster, China has announced nationwide inspections of high-rise buildings to identify fire hazards. The Hong Kong government has suspended 28 projects by the contractor Prestige Construction & Engineering Company and announced that 50% of new public building projects from March 2025 will require metal scaffolding instead of bamboo.

The Buildings Department of Hong Kong has recently updated its Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings (2024 edition), but questions remain about enforcement and compliance in renovation projects.

The debate now centers on balancing traditional construction methods with modern safety requirements in one of the world's most densely populated cities. As Hong Kong mourns its dead, the city faces difficult decisions about preserving cultural heritage while ensuring resident safety in its aging building stock.