Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Wang Fuk Court Tragedy

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On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a massive fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, a housing estate in the northern suburb of Tai Po. The towers were under bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh at the time for a long and expensive renovation, with the mesh spreading the fire across 7 of the 8 tower blocks.
This huge tragedy is unprecedented in recent memory, and suddenly 4000 people are homeless. As of mid-January 2026, 168 people were confirmed dead as investigation efforts continue to identify victims amidst the charred wreckage.
Amidst anger over bid-rigging, corruption, and substandard materials used on the site that had fake certification, the government has set up an independent committee to investigate the fire. While initially the bamboo scaffolding was blamed for the disaster, it has become increasingly clear the mesh was sub-standard and a fire risk. Windows also were covered in a styrofoam protective layer during the renovation as well.
Surviving residents now await a longer term resettlement plan as they move between temporary accommodation. The government has devised several redevelopment plans and are now seeking their opinions, which include rebuilding the estate or re-housing them elsewhere in the district.

The government has set up a no-fly zone around the estate as an active investigation is still under way. To avoid impeding their work and to keep on the right side of the law, I headed outside the exclusion zone for these images. The zoom function on the drone helped tremendously.


. On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, a massive fire tore through Wang Fuk Court, a housing estate in the northern suburb of Tai Po. The towers were under bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh at the time for a long and expensive renovation, with the mesh spreading the fire across 7 of the 8 tower blocks. This huge tragedy is unprecedented in recent memory, and suddenly 4000 people are homeless. As of mid-January 2026, 168 people were confirmed dead as investigation efforts continue to identify victims amidst the charred wreckage. Amidst anger over bid-rigging, corruption, and substandard materials used on the site that had fake certification, the government has set up an independent committee to investigate the fire. While initially the bamboo scaffolding was blamed for the disaster, it has become increasingly clear the mesh was sub-standard and a fire risk. Windows also were covered in a styrofoam protective layer during the renovation as well. Surviving residents now await a longer term resettlement plan as they move between temporary accommodation. The government has devised several redevelopment plans and are now seeking their opinions, which include rebuilding the estate or re-housing them elsewhere in the district. The government has set up a no-fly zone around the estate as an active investigation is still under way. To avoid impeding their work and to keep on the right side of the law, I headed outside the exclusion zone for these images. The zoom function on the drone helped tremendously.

Hong Kong Photo Gallery