The death toll from the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has reached 83, making it the deadliest fire in the special administrative region's history, the Hong Kong Fire Department announced tonight.

In addition to the fatalities, 76 individuals, including 11 firefighters, sustained injuries, and an estimated 270 people remain unaccounted for. Rescue teams have received nearly 350 emergency calls, but have been unable to reach 50 of the reported cases.

While the majority of the blaze has been brought under control, firefighters are still working to extinguish flames on the upper floors of three buildings within the complex. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site. In a notable rescue, one man was pulled from the 16th-floor staircase of the Wang Tao building, over 27 hours after the fire broke out.

Residents look towards the fire-ravaged apartment buildings in Tai Po district, Hong Kong on the night of 27/11. AFP.

Firefighters are contending with intense heat and thick smoke in their efforts to reach residents believed to be trapped on the higher floors.

Amidst the chaos, Ms. Ng, 52, clutched her daughter's graduation photo, anxiously awaiting news. She shared, "My husband and daughter are still inside. The firefighters do not have enough water to save our building."

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that the government would cancel or postpone all celebrations and minimize public events to prioritize rescue efforts. The special administrative region government will provide HKD 10,000 (approximately USD 1,300) to all affected households to help meet their most immediate needs.

Authorities have also established a relief fund, with the government contributing HKD 300 million (USD 38.5 million), and have urged the public to join the effort. Several major companies and corporations in China have already announced donations.

By Huyen Le (Reuters, SCMP, HKFP)