A fire that has ripped through a residential block in Hong Kong and resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people is expected to be extinguished “tonight”, Hong Kong authorities said early this morning.
Rescuers continue to search the buildings in the hope that there are survivors among the hundreds of unaccounted-for residents of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the northern district of Tai Po.
Fire services continue rescue efforts at affected buildings in the Tai Po District, Hong Kong.Credit: Daniel Ceng/SMH
Most of the victims were found in two high-rise blocks in the eight-tower complex, deputy director of fire services Derek Armstrong Chan said.
He said firefighters found residents who were alive in several of the buildings, but gave no further details. The South China Morning Post reported one survivor was found on the stairwell of one of the buildings.
Rescuers battled intense heat and thick smoke for more than a day as they fought to reach residents feared trapped on the upper floors.
Video showed firefighters with flashlights searching through the charred remains of the towers on Thursday night local time. Orange flames were still seen from inside several windows, though the whole complex was now largely a blackened ruin.
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