'Keep holding on': Anguishing wait for the missing after Hong Kong blaze

"Hold on," were the final words Mr. Chung shared with his wife as a massive blaze erupted in their public housing tower in Hong Kong's Tai Po district. Around 3:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT) on Wednesday, he received her distressed callshe was trapped in their apartment with their cat and unable to escape.

Rushing home from work, Mr. Chung found the 31-story building engulfed in flames and thick black smoke pouring out. Firefighters battled the inferno for nearly 24 hours, which affected seven tower blocks, including theirs, and so far claimed at least 128 lives.

Nearly 300 residents remain unaccounted for, including Mr. Chung's wife. Survivors and those who managed to escape described a lack of any alarm warnings. Many, like Mr. Chung, spent hours outside the burning structures, desperately hoping for news.

Mr. Chung, 45, and his brother spent Wednesday night on the street, repeatedly asking firefighters for updates, but were given none. During the ordeal, he and his wife maintained phone contact, both growing increasingly anxious. She reported feeling faint as smoke thickened around her.

"She probably did faint," Mr. Chung told reporters, his voice heavy with emotion. "I couldn't bring myself to call her again." Hours later, he feared the worst, believing she perished with their beloved cat. She was the only family member who stayed home that day.

The Chungs had lived in Wang Cheong House, the first of the seven affected towers, for ten years. Mr. Chung recalls that on the 23rd floor, smoke became so dense within ten minutes that his wife could no longer navigate the escape route.

The fire's cause remains under investigation, but officials suspect renovations using flammable materials and scaffolding contributed to the rapid spread, making it the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in six decades. Seven of the eight buildings in the Wang Fuk Court estate, totaling 1,800 units built in 1983, were affected.

Nearly 40% of Wang Fuk Court residents are over 65, which has raised concerns that many elderly residents could not escape quickly. Ms. Fung, 40, is still searching for her mother, who was last reportedly hiding in a toilet during the fire. She has criticized authorities for questioning whether her mother could have survived, given the destruction.

Social media has been flooded with posts from families desperate to locate missing elderly relatives, children, and pets. One mother wrote about her missing daughter, expressing despair after almost 30 hours without updates.

The tragedy has drawn attention to the controversial HK$330 million ($42.2M) renovations at Wang Fuk Court, funded in part by residents paying between HK$160,000 and HK$180,000 each. Three executives from the construction company have been arrested for "gross negligence" over substandard scaffolding and highly flammable materials.

Long-time residents, like 72-year-old Grandma Chan, expressed fears during the renovation due to odd smells and large-scale construction. She escaped safely after her daughter, abroad in South Korea, instructed her to leave. Similarly, 82-year-old Grandma Wu fled after receiving warnings from neighbors rather than alarms.

Even after escaping, many residents remained outside overnight, unwilling to leave the site. "I have lived here for 42 years," Grandma Wu said. "I will watch what happens until the fire is fully extinguished."

For families who invested life savings into these homes, the aftermath presents new challenges. Kyle Ho, 32, who moved in with retired parents three years ago, now faces uncertainty despite government relief of HK$10,000 per displaced household and a HK$300 million aid fund. "The worst-case scenario is losing our flat, but at least we are alive," he said.

Authorities continue to search for survivors, and Mr. Chung remains hopeful. "I want to rescue my wifewhether she is alive or gone," he declared.

Analysis: Unprecedented Blaze Exposes Vulnerabilities in Hong Kong Housing

The fire at Wang Cheong House and the surrounding towers in Tai Po has highlighted critical gaps in public housing safety. The rapid spread of flames, reportedly exacerbated by flammable renovation materials and scaffolding, demonstrates systemic risks in older estates built in the 1980s.

Evacuation procedures and alarm systems appear to have been inadequate. Multiple survivors, including Mr. Chung's wife, were trapped with no effective warning. Eyewitness accounts describe residents spending hours outside, uncertain of their loved ones’ safety, reflecting a breakdown in communication during emergencies.

Demographics of the affected estate further worsened the situation. Nearly 40% of residents are over 65, raising concerns about their mobility and ability to escape quickly. The fire has brought public attention to both safety compliance during renovations and accountability, as three executives face arrest for negligence.

Beyond immediate loss of life and property, displaced families face ongoing challenges. Government relief efforts provide temporary support, but long-term housing security remains uncertain for hundreds. The tragedy underscores the need for stricter safety regulations, faster emergency response, and better protection for vulnerable populations in high-density housing.

While the investigation continues, this disaster serves as a stark reminder that preventive measures and rigorous oversight are essential to prevent similar catastrophes in Hong Kong and other urban areas with aging public housing.

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• 'Hang in there': Agonising wait for the missing after Hong Kong blaze