A fire broke out on Wednesday in the large Wang Fuk Court residential complex. A major renovation was underway in the high-rise buildings, and the powerful fire quickly spread along bamboo scaffolding.
Pictures from the scene show flames spreading through several buildings. Seven of the complex's eight high-rise buildings have burned, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports. About ten hours after the first alarms, flames were still visible in four of the buildings, the newspaper writes.
The death toll has been updated to at least 44, while over 250 people are still missing.
Police received early reports that several people were trapped in the burning apartment buildings, which together house 2,000 homes. The city's health authorities say that at least 29 people are being treated in hospital, 13 of whom are seriously injured.
At most, more than 1,000 firefighters and police took part in the extensive rescue operation, where 140 fire engines were used, according to the SCMP. One of the dead is said to be a firefighter who participated early in the rescue work, which is being made more difficult by the high temperatures.
Fire chief Andy Yeung Yan-Kin said firefighters found Styrofoam in many apartments, which helped the fire spread quickly. The renovations have been underway for more than a year, but witnesses said scaffolding is still standing around the high-rise buildings. Two managers and a consultant from the construction company responsible for the work have been arrested.
