A devastating fire has ripped through several high-rise tower blocks in Hong Kong, killing at least 13 people and injuring 15 more. There are reports of missing people, and thousands have been evacuated to nearby shelters.
Pictures show several buildings ablaze, and thick smoke billowing into the air, dominating Hong Kong's skyline.
As night fell, the fire was still burning hours after it was first reported, with 767 firefighters deployed to the scene.
What caused the blaze is still unclear, but here is what we do know, so far.
Where and when did the fire start?
The blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a large housing complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, at 14:51 local time on Wednesday (06:51 GMT).
Wang Fuk Court consists of eight tower blocks, which are each 31-storeys high. Seven of them have been affected by the fire.
The tower blocks were undergoing renovations and the outside of the buildings was covered in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting. Footage shows the fire spreading quickly through the bamboo.
There have been reports from residents that fire alarms did not sound.
How serious is the fire?
The Hong Kong fire department has classified the blaze as a level five alarm - the highest in severity.
Within 40 minutes of first being reported, it was classified as level four but was raised to level five about three and a half hours later.
Local media reported that explosions could be heard inside the building, and fire hoses could not easily reach the higher levels due to the heat and debris.
In total, there were 128 fire engines, 57 ambulances, and 400 police officers deployed at the scene.
What do we know about the victims?
The Hong Kong government initially announced that at least four people had died, but the death toll has since risen to 13, with fears that it could increase further as several individuals are still unaccounted for.
Among the deceased is a firefighter, Ho Wai-ho, aged 37, who lost contact with his team during rescue operations.
Emergency hotline and shelters set up
Wang Fuk Court is home to roughly 4,600 residents, and there has been a mass evacuation in the area. Several emergency shelters have been established to accommodate those displaced.
As the situation is ongoing, there is an emergency hotline available for individuals seeking information about the casualties.
Hong Kong and bamboo scaffolding
The use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong construction has raised safety concerns over the years, and although long recognized for its strength and lightweight properties, there have been calls to phase it out, especially following safety incidents. Authorities indicated that the fire spread rapidly through the scaffolding at Wang Fuk Court.
