Death toll from Wang Fuk Court fire rises to 159 as full search concludes

The confirmed death toll from the Wang Fuk Court fire has risen to 159, following the completion of search and recovery operations across the seven affected blocks, Hong Kong police announced at a press conference at 5:00pm on 3 December 2025.

Chief Superintendent Karen Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the police casualty inquiry unit, said that the Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) has now finished combing all seven blocks of the Tai Po estate. The team recovered three additional bodies since the previous day, bringing the total fatalities from 156 to 159.

Of the deceased, 140 have been identified, while 19 remain unidentified. Approximately 30 people are still unaccounted for.

Full toll and ongoing hospitalisations

The deceased include 49 men and 91 women, aged between 1 and 97 years, according to Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming. Among the victims were three male and two female construction workers, and 10 foreign domestic helpers.

Seventy bodies were recovered from Wang Cheong House, the first building to catch fire. Eighty-two more were found in Wang Tai House, with three bodies each in Wang Sun House and Wang Tao House, and one in Wang Shing House. No fatalities were reported in Wang Yan House or Wang Kin House.

Thirty-seven people remain in hospital, Tsang added, with four in critical condition and nine seriously injured. A total of 79 individuals were injured in the fire, including 12 firefighters.

Forensic examination and identification

Commissioner Chow stated that some bone fragments recovered from the site may belong to either humans or animals, and are currently undergoing forensic testing. DNA analysis will be conducted to determine identities, particularly in cases where remains were severely burned or disfigured.

“We found some bones, and will get them tested and verified whether they are from animals or human beings,” Chow said. “We will try to test their DNA to confirm their identities and stay in contact with families who have reported their loved ones missing.”

He noted that it may take additional time to complete identification efforts, especially if remains are found beneath collapsed scaffolding, which will need to be dismantled in coordination with the Housing Department.

Arrests over fire alarm system

Police have made six new arrests, in addition to the 15 previously announced, bringing the total number of individuals arrested in connection with the fire to 21.

According to Commissioner Chow, the six newly arrested men, aged 44 to 55, were subcontractors responsible for the estate’s fire alarm system.

“They falsely reported to the Fire Services Department that they would not deactivate the fire alarm system during the construction process,” Chow said, noting that this potentially contributed to the failure of early warnings during the fire’s outbreak.

The original 15 arrested individuals—aged between 40 and 77—included representatives from main contractors, engineering firms, and scaffolding companies involved in renovation works.

Safety violations and causes of spread

Eight residential towers in Wang Fuk Court had been under renovation since July 2024, and were covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh at the time of the fire.

Authorities revealed that highly flammable polystyrene (styrofoam) and substandard green mesh material used during the construction work caused the fire to spread rapidly, trapping dozens of residents.

Many residents say fire-safety checks had quietly ceased once the renovation project started.

Resident KC Chen said alarms used to be tested regularly, but: “Since the renovation began, I’ve never heard the fire alarm ring — not even a test.”

When the fire erupted, residents across the estate reported hearing no alarm at all, leaving them unaware of the danger until they smelled smoke or heard neighbours shouting.

Multiple videos circulating online have intensified public outrage. In one clip, evacuees are seen pressing the fire alarm switch repeatedly, but the system remains completely unresponsive.

Another early-stage video shows flames beginning to spread as smoke thickens in the corridor — yet the alarm stays silent, forcing residents to rely on shouted warnings to alert neighbours.

Community response and relief funds

Authorities have confirmed that HK$2.3 billion (approx. US$295 million) has been raised for rescue, relief, and recovery efforts, involving both government funds and private donations.

Residents of Wang Chi House—the only block not directly affected by the fire—will be allowed into their flats on 4 and 5 December to retrieve essential personal belongings.

Access will be limited to two people per household, for a maximum of 90 minutes, between 9:00am and 9:00pm, according to the Home Affairs Department.

Authorities have not yet announced a timetable for residents to return permanently, citing the need for further forensic and safety inspections.

Unaccounted individuals and foreign nationals

Police are continuing efforts to locate 31 missing individuals, with officers reviewing records from telecom providers and the Immigration Department to determine whether any have left the city or are otherwise unreachable.

Among the missing are three Indonesian domestic workers, whom authorities have been unable to contact due to incomplete registration records, said Chief Superintendent Tsang.

The Social Welfare Department and civil service volunteers remain on-site to provide assistance to affected families, including under the government’s “one household, one social worker” programme.

Public cooperation and evidence gathering

The police reporting hotline has received a total of 136 videos and 502 photos from 40 residents, Commissioner Chow said. This evidence is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

Members of the public with relevant footage are encouraged to call the dedicated fire investigation hotlines (5337 6671–6681), which operate daily from 8:00am to 8:00pm.

For those seeking information about victims or missing individuals, the casualty enquiry hotline (1878 999) remains active.