Fire tears through Hong Kong housing complex, killing at least 36 with hundreds missing

A fire broke out at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, killing at least 36 people and leaving hundreds missing. The blaze engulfed several towers at the Wang Fuk Court around 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting a No. 5 alarm response from the Fire Services Department. At least 279 people are reported missing, with 29 hospitalized, including seven in critical condition. One firefighter died while battling the flames, and residents reported that fire alarms failed to go off despite being equipped with them. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by a dedicated team. Temporary shelters have been set up for those affected, with many residents reportedly left without time to escape due to delayed warnings from security guards.

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