In the early evening of November 26, a sudden fire erupted at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong Kong, where maintenance teams were busy upgrading Block 5. Flames from a neighboring building swept across floors 10 to 13, turning a routine workday into a life-or-death struggle.
As of December 4 at 2 p.m., the Hong Kong Police Force has confirmed 159 fatalities, with 31 residents still unaccounted for. Many of those who perished were maintenance workers—including contractors and crew members—who bravely tried to combat the blaze before evacuating.
A surviving worker said, 'We tried to douse the flames with hoses, but they spread so fast. We didn't expect the fire to leap onto our floors so quickly. Our supervisor finally ordered an evacuation.'
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions and the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union have led relief efforts, visiting bereaved families and survivors. Their Occupational Safety Association has provided HKD 20,000 (about US$2,600) in emergency support to each affected household.
In a recent press briefing, the Hong Kong SAR government stressed that all families affected will receive equal assistance, regardless of background or status. As the community mourns, questions are already rising about onsite safety measures and building regulations to prevent future tragedies.
For young professionals and global citizens, this incident spotlights the real-world risks maintenance crews face daily. It calls for renewed dialogue on workplace safety, rapid emergency response, and solidarity across sectors. As investigations continue, stakeholders from unions to city leaders are urging swift action to ensure such a tragedy never repeats.
Reference(s):
Workers among casualties in Wang Fuk Court blaze in Hong Kong
cgtn.com
