Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep condolences following the deadly residential fire in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district and has urged authorities to make every effort to extinguish the blaze and reduce casualties. The fire, one of the most severe incidents Hong Kong has faced in recent years, left at least 14 people dead, including a firefighter who died while responding to the emergency.
Xi, who also serves as general secretary of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, requested immediate updates on the situation after learning of the tragedy. He instructed the head of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong to convey his condolences to Chief Executive John Lee, offering sympathies to the families of the victims and support to all those affected.
According to state media, Xi has called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the Liaison Office to assist the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in mobilising all necessary resources. He urged them to help with firefighting operations, rescue efforts, medical treatment for the injured and support for displaced residents. He also emphasised the importance of coordinating with relevant departments and local authorities to ensure that the impact of the disaster is minimised.
The Hong Kong government has activated its emergency response mechanism, and the Liaison Office has established a task force to maintain close contact with local authorities. Officials say they are fully supporting ongoing rescue and relief operations as firefighters continue working to bring the situation under control.
The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po. Emergency services received the first alert at around 2:51 p.m. As the blaze intensified, the Fire Services Department raised the alarm level to No. 5 at 6:22 p.m., the highest tier in Hong Kong’s system. The scale of the fire and the speed at which it spread created severe challenges for rescue teams.
Among those who lost their lives was a 37 year old firefighter who collapsed while fighting the flames. His death has drawn widespread sympathy, with officials highlighting the dangers faced by frontline responders. Rescue teams have continued to work through hazardous conditions, and authorities warn that further searches are still underway as they assess the extent of the damage.
The incident has prompted renewed attention on fire safety measures in high density residential areas. Preliminary reports suggest complex factors contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and investigators will examine all circumstances surrounding the incident once rescue operations are completed.
Xi’s message underscores the central government’s support during major emergencies in Hong Kong and reflects Beijing’s call for coordinated efforts to protect residents and prevent further loss of life.
