At least 36 people have died after a huge fire engulfed multiple high-rise apartment buildings in Hong Kong.
Emergency services rushed to the blaze at Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po district shortly before 3pm local time.
A total of 36 people have died according to thhe city leader and 279 are missing, local media reports.
Among those who died was local fireman Ho Wai-ho, the Hong Kong government said.
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Paying tribute to him, the director of fire services, Andy Yeung, said: "I am profoundly grieved at the loss of this dedicated and gallant fireman. All of our colleagues are deeply saddened by the loss of such a devoted comrade.
"On behalf of all our colleagues, I have offered the deepest condolences to his family."
Some fire services staff have also been injured while trying to put out the flames that ripped through the 31-storey towers.
Thick grey smoke could be seen billowing from the buildings, some of which were clad in bamboo scaffolding, as fire crews battled to subdue the fire.
The government confirmed four people have died following the fire
|REUTERS
Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding in construction.
The fire service upgraded the blaze to a number five alarm, the highest, at around 6.20pm local time.
It said it does not yet have a figure for the number of people who may still be inside the apartment blocks.
Wang Fuk Court is a housing complex made up of eight blocks, providing close to 2,000 residential units.
Hong Kong's Transport Department said an entire section of the Tai Po highway has been closed and buses are being diverted due to the fire.
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A nearby highway has been closed as a result of the fire
|REUTERS
Temporary shelters have been opened for affected residents including at a local secondary school and community halls, the government has confirmed.
A help desk has also been set up at the Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.
"The Tai Po District Office will closely monitor the situation, open additional temporary shelters if needed, and liaise with other government departments to provide residents with appropriate assistance," an official statement read.
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