13 killed in Hong Kong residential area fire

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2025 shows rescuers working on a residential building fire site in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thirteen people were killed after a huge fire engulfed a residential area in the Tai Po area of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

The Fire Services Department of the HKSAR government was notified of the accident at around 2:51 p.m. local time.

Due to the fierce blaze, the department raised the alert to No. 5 alarm fire at 6:22 p.m. local time. Rescue operations are still ongoing.

A care team member works at an inter-departmental help desk after a fire broke out at a residential building in the Tai Po area in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Police officers work at an inter-departmental help desk after a fire broke out at a residential building in the Tai Po area in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2025 shows rescuers working on a residential building fire site in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

This photo taken on Nov. 26, 2025 shows rescuers working on a residential building fire site in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

An inter-departmental help desk is set at Prince of Wales Hospital after a fire broke out at a residential building in the Tai Po area in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)