Hong Kong Apartment Fire Tragedy Kills 55 People

JAKARTA The death toll from a massive fire that hit an apartment complex in Hong Kong has now increased to 55 people.

Firefighters continue to struggle to extinguish the fire, one of the deadliest in the city's modern history.

Hong Kong authorities said on Thursday, November 27, 51 people were found dead at the scene, bringing the death toll to 55, including four others who had been taken to hospital.

Thick smoke continued to billow from the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district, a northern suburb near the border with the main mainland.

Firefighters have been battling fire control since Wednesday afternoon, when the fire began to ignite and then spread to seven of the eight complex buildings. Fires in four buildings have been extinguished, while three other towers have been under control, authorities said Thursday afternoon.

They said outage operations were likely to last into the evening.