Chinese President Xi Jinping extended his condolences on Wednesday after a devastating residential building fire broke out in the Tai Po area of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). At least 14 people, including a 37-year-old firefighter, have died amid one of the SAR’s deadliest residential fires this year.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, immediately sought updates on rescue efforts and casualties. He instructed the head of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR to convey his deep sympathies to Chief Executive John Lee and to the families of the victims.
‘All relevant departments must mobilize resources to extinguish the blaze, search for those trapped and provide timely treatment and support to injured residents,’ Xi said. ‘Every effort should be made to minimize casualties and losses.’
This afternoon, the Fire Services Department raised the alert to a No. 5 alarm—the highest level in the SAR—after receiving the first report at 2:51 p.m. Fierce flames and heavy smoke hampered early rescue operations, prompting the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office to form a joint task force with the SAR government.
The HKSAR government activated its emergency response mechanism and is coordinating medical teams, social services and community volunteers to assist displaced residents. Officials have set up temporary shelters and are offering psychological support to those affected.
Urban fire safety experts say high-density living and aging infrastructure pose ongoing challenges in many global cities. In Hong Kong, where more than 7 million people share a compact urban area, building maintenance and emergency preparedness have become critical public concerns.
As rescue operations continue into the night, local and central authorities are racing against time to reach survivors and contain the damage. The incident underscores the importance of coordinated emergency systems in megacities around the world.
For now, the focus remains on search and rescue, recovery and care for those whose lives were upended by this tragic event.
Reference(s):
Xi extends condolences, urges all-out Tai Po fire rescue efforts
cgtn.com
