Overview
- Authorities report at least 83 dead and 76 injured with hundreds still unaccounted for after the Tai Po residential blaze, which has displaced thousands as rescue and accounting continue.
- The fire reportedly began on scaffolding wrapped in netting and spread to neighboring towers, requiring hundreds of firefighters to bring it under control.
- The Hong Kong government established a 300 million Hong Kong dollar relief fund, lowered flags to half-mast, and canceled select public events as the city mourns.
- Regional companies pledged substantial aid, including 30 million HKD from Anta Sports, 20 million HKD from Chow Tai Fook, 15 million HKD from 361 Degrees, and support from Alibaba, Ant, the Jack Ma Foundation, China Mobile, ByteDance, and Hang Lung.
- K-pop contributors include Hybe’s 500 million won to Hope Bridge, SM’s 1 million HKD to the Hong Kong Red Cross, JYP’s 2 million HKD to World Vision Hong Kong, YG’s 1 million HKD, donations from aespa, Riize, (G)I-DLE and Jackson Wang, and a modified MAMA Awards program in Hong Kong with a tribute and pledged donation.