Wang Fuk Court, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, was recently shaken by a tragedy: a serious fire engulfed seven residential towers, one of the worst urban disasters in the city’s history. The accident left dozens dead and hundreds missing in the region. This disaster rekindled the attention and concern of public bodies and the population regarding the safety of high-rise buildings, as well as problems and failures in the inspection of these facilities. Grief and indignation were common feelings among the population, who also demanded change.
Hong Kong is concerned about the scale of the tragedy
In late November of the previous year, around afternoon local time, a fire broke out in one of the blocks of Wang Fuk Court, located in Tai Po. Shortly after, flames and smoke engulfed the bamboo scaffolding and all the other flammable materials used in the exterior renovation.
At the scene of the accident, residents attempted to access the stairwells and began to descend, but this caused the corridors to quickly fill with smoke. In such situations, visibility drops drastically.
During the entire process of getting rescuers to the scene, within minutes, the fire had already reached several neighbouring towers. The spread of these flames was intense and rapid, making the complexity of the rescue and the disaster itself surpass the initial, arduous rescue efforts.
Shocking number: Scale of the tragedy and social impact
According to authorities, there are indications that the fire caused at least 128 deaths, and at least 200 people who were present at the scene of the accident are still missing. This was confirmed at the end of the rescue operations.
Hundreds of families in the area had to be evacuated from their homes at the exact moment of the accident, because the building housed thousands of people. Many people ended up losing not only their homes, but also relatives, friends, and neighbours, creating a feeling of collective suffering that is difficult for the victims to measure.
This disaster, unfortunately, rekindled a feeling of anguish and insecurity among the population, something that many residents of tall buildings like this one experience without much visibility: housing security. Those who follow this type of case, like this accident in this type of housing, understand that the tragedy puts trust in building regulations and inspections to the test, and makes these residents feel unsafe in their own homes.
Serious flaws in the building’s infrastructure: scaffolding, flammable materials, and questionable inspection
Some investigators point out that the ongoing renovation of the building used bamboo scaffolding covered with flammable plastic sheeting. Furthermore, the finishing materials contained plastic foam. All of this may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Investigators also reported that the windows were sealed with panels, something that was part of the renovation. This was a factor that prevented residents from seeing the fire and its extent, which made it difficult for them to escape. The external structure of the building ended up favouring the spread of the flames and their ascent to the building, which is why the fire reached even the highest floors in a matter of minutes.
What can we conclude from this tragic accident?
This fire in Tai Po highlighted the risks that many residents of high-rise buildings face daily around the world. This tragedy underscores the importance of factors such as structure, regulation, and oversight in construction and how they work together. Neglecting any of these factors can cost lives.
Hong Kong now mourns this tragedy, but it’s necessary to understand that the country is also facing a new opportunity: to transform this tragedy into motivation for real change. If the country’s authorities act correctly according to their safety standards, disasters like this can be avoided in the future.
