'My dad's body is still missing': Families in agony as loved ones remain missing after Hong Kong tower fire

Hong Kong tower fire: The death toll has risen to 128 in the blaze that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court complex.

Updated on: Nov 28, 2025, 14:29:56 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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Relatives and friends gathered outside a community centre in Hong Kong on Friday, hoping for news of loved ones as emergency workers searched for any survivors and more victims. Reportedly, 128 people have died in the blaze that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court complex, which comprises eight 32-storey towers in the northern district of Tai Po.

The blaze, which erupted quickly swept through the eight 32-storey towers of the complex.

The blaze, which erupted quickly swept through the eight 32-storey towers of the complex. The buildings had been covered in bamboo scaffolding and green protective netting for renovation, conditions that allowed the fire to spread rapidly, Reuters reported.

Also read: Hong Kong fire death toll nears 130 as search and rescue ends; several missing

Police have arrested three officials from the construction firm responsible on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards blocking windows.

Identifying loved ones

As firefighters continued to put out hotspots on Friday, families inside the community centre faced the agonising task of inspecting photographs of the deceased.

Mirra Wong, whose parents lived in Wang Fuk Court, said she was still searching for her father. "Just recognise some picture is maybe (the) body of my dad. It's my dad’s body is still missing here,” Wong told Reuters.

Also read| 'What's left?': Hong Kong residents mourn losses after massive fire

Another resident, who declined to be named, said her friend’s wife had not been found.

"Rationally speaking, it means there’s no hope," she said. "But the bodies still have to be found, right? Let me see if they’ve found them... It’s just too sorrowful. When it involves people you know, it’s even more painful."

Reportedly, as many as 279 individuals were listed as missing in the early hours of Thursday. Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan said crews would force entry into every unit in seven of the towers to ensure no one is overlooked. 25 emergency calls remain unresolved, including several received only hours earlier.

Deadliest Fire Since 1948

The tragedy has deeply affected the city’s migrant domestic worker community. Dozens of employees from the Philippines were caught in the fire, with 19 still missing. Indonesia’s consulate confirmed that two of its citizens, both domestic helpers, were among the dead.

(With inputs from Reuters)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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