A devastating fire has ripped through several high-rise tower blocks in Hong Kong, killing at least 13 people and injuring 15 more. There are reports of missing people, and thousands have been evacuated to nearby shelters.
Pictures show several buildings ablaze, with thick smoke billowing into the air, dominating Hong Kong's skyline.
As night fell, the fire was still burning hours after it was first reported, with 767 firefighters deployed to the scene.
The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing complex, at 14:51 local time on Wednesday. The complex, consisting of eight 31-storey towers built in 1983, housed approximately 4,600 residents. Reports indicate that some fire alarms did not sound during the incident.
The Hong Kong fire department has classified the blaze as a level five alarm, the highest severity level. Local media reported explosions and access challenges for firefighting equipment in higher levels of the towers.
The initial death toll of four rose dramatically as more victims were discovered, with fears that the number could continue to increase due to ongoing rescue operations and reports of missing persons. Among the deceased is a firefighter who lost his life during rescue efforts.
Emergency shelters and hotlines have been established for those affected by the fire, as local authorities work to provide assistance to thousands of displaced residents. The use of bamboo scaffolding in renovations has raised safety concerns, as it is believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
