In Hong Kong, a fire in a housing complex left at least 36 people dead and several others injured

Authorities did not immediately discuss the possible cause of the fire.

A large fire that occurred on Wednesday, November 26, in a housing complex in Hong Kong, left at least 36 people dead, and 279 people are still missing, according to a report submitted by the local chief executive, John Lee, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (Wednesday evening Paris time). “There are still 29 people being treated in hospital, seven of whom are in critical condition”he said. Previous reports reported 13 deaths.

Thick plumes of black smoke enveloped at least five of the eight residential towers at the Wang Fuk Court complex, located in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district, according to an AFP journalist. Large flames emerging from the buildings were accompanied by loud cracking sounds, possibly related to the burning of bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings, this journalist noted.

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Among the victims, a 37-year-old firefighter, who was out of contact for about thirty minutes, was found burned on his face and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, fire director Andy Yeung said.

Authorities did not immediately discuss the possible cause of the fire. They classified the disaster into category five, which is the highest alert scale that determines the level of emergency mobilization. Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the victims and called for all efforts to minimize the number of casualties and casualties.