Hong Kong Security Minister Chris Tang announced Friday that rescue operations have ended at the residential tower complex where a catastrophic fire claimed at least 128 lives.
Latest figures
- 128 dead
- 79 injured (including 12 firefighters, one critically)
- 200 people still unaccounted for
Over 1,000 police officers were mobilised for the rescue and recovery effort.
Faulty fire detection system
Authorities confirmed the building’s fire detection system was not functioning properly, raising serious questions about safety standards in the densely populated city.
The fire, one of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s history, broke out in the early hours and rapidly spread through the high-rise complex.
Workers filmed smoking during renovations minutes before deadly Hong Kong blaze
Disturbing footage has surfaced showing construction workers openly smoking cigarettes while carrying out repair work on the exterior of Wang Fu Court in Tai Po – the same residential tower that was engulfed in flames hours later.
In the clip, filmed from a nearby flat, several workers are clearly seen lighting up and smoking on the scaffolding. One worker glares irritably at the camera filming him.
Authorities have not yet confirmed any link between the smoking and the fire, and the official cause remains under investigation.
Shocking footage reveals workers were caught casually smoking while repairing the outer wall of Wang Fu Court, Tai Po in Hong Kong, moments before the entire building went up in flames and resulted in the death of dozens of people. pic.twitter.com/7Iow0dFwgO
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) November 27, 2025
Featured photo: NBC News
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