HONG KONG — A devastating five-alarm fire that consumed a high-rise residential building in Tai Po, Hong Kong, for over 43 hours has left at least 128 people dead and 11 critically injured, casting a pall over the city and prompting widespread event cancellations. The blaze at Wang Fuk Court was largely extinguished around 10:00 a.m. yesterday, but the full scope of the tragedy remains unclear, with more than 100 individuals still unaccounted for and identification efforts ongoing for some of the recovered victims.
In response to the overwhelming loss, authorities across Hong Kong have established condolence stations in all 18 districts. The tragedy has spurred a citywide pause on most non-essential public gatherings and entertainment events as residents mourn.
Several prominent entertainment events have been postponed or altered out of respect for the victims and their families. Singer Chow Yin Ting announced the cancellation of his scheduled appearances at the “Disney Christmas Music Live!” event at Hong Kong Disneyland, originally slated for November 29th and 30th. In a shift toward community support, Chow will instead participate in related charitable activities organized by the theme park at a later date.
For guests who purchased seating zone passes for the cancelled music event, Universal Music Hong Kong has advised that refunds are available. Attendees seeking reimbursement should contact cancellation@hongkongdisneyland.com to coordinate the necessary arrangements with the relevant departments.
The impact also extends to major events scheduled for the coming year. Concert organizers for Cantopop icon Leon Lai, who is set to headline the “Leon Lai ROBBABA Coliseum Concert 2026” next March, announced a delay in the priority ticket sales protocol. The pre-sale period, which was supposed to run from December 1st to 5th exclusively for specific credit card holders, has been postponed. New dates for the priority booking window are expected to be announced soon.
The widespread shift from celebration to somber reflection highlights the profound grief gripping the community. Authorities are urging the public to utilize the established condolence centers for support and to respect the privacy of those directly affected by the tragedy. The full restoration and recovery process for the Tai Po area and its displaced residents is anticipated to be extensive, placing community support and official aid at the forefront of the city’s immediate priorities.