At least 44 people have died, including a firefighter, following a large fire in a Hong Kong apartment complex, according to the region’s leader.
John Lee confirmed another 279 people have been reported missing, while 29 others have been taken to hospital.
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the complex in the city’s Tai Po district after the blaze broke out on Wednesday.
A column of flames and thick smoke rose up as the fire spread across bamboo scaffolding around its exterior.
Records show the housing complex consisted of eight blocks housing almost 2,000 apartments.
Video from the scene showed at least five buildings close to each other ablaze, with flames coming out of many of the apartments’ windows.
The blaze was reported mid-afternoon and upgraded to a No. 4 alarm fire, the second-highest level of severity, the Fire Services Department said.
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