ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday offered its condolences to the people of Hong Kong and China following a catastrophic fire at a high-rise residential complex, as the death toll rose and hundreds remained missing.

The blaze broke out on Nov. 26 in the 31-story towers of Wang Fuk Court housing estate in the Tai Po district, northern Hong Kong, and quickly spread across several high-rise blocks. Authorities have confirmed at least 44 deaths, and reported 279 people missing, making it one of the deadliest residential fires in the city in decades. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and we wish a speedy recovery to all those injured,” Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement on X. “Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people and Government of China, especially the Hong Kong SAR, during this difficult time.”

Media and official fire-service reports said the inferno, which began on external scaffolding undergoing renovation work, was rapidly escalated to a “level-5 alarm,” the highest in the city, highlighting the speed and severity of the disaster. 

Firefighters battled ferocious flames and thick smoke through the night. Among the deceased is at least one firefighter who lost his life during rescue operations. 

Authorities have arrested three men — two directors and a consultant of the construction firm responsible for renovation — on suspicion of manslaughter, after investigating use of potentially flammable scaffolding materials that may have contributed to the rapid spread.