President Xi Jinping extends condolences over Hong Kong building fire, urges all-out rescue efforts to minimize loss

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday extended condolences over a deadly residential building fire in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and urged all-out efforts to extinguish the fire and minimize casualties and losses.

President Xi immediately sought updates on the rescue efforts and the casualties and instructed the head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR to convey to Chief Executive John Lee his deep condolences over the victims and the firefighter who died in the line of duty, as well as his sympathies to the families of the deceased and those affected by the fire.

Xi called on the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office to support the HKSAR government in making all-out efforts to extinguish the fire, search for and rescue those trapped, treat the injured and provide assistance and comfort to affected residents.

He also urged relevant departments and local authorities to offer necessary support, with the aim of minimizing casualties and losses.

As of Thursday morning, the fire in the Tai Po area left at least 44 people dead and 45 injured, according to local fire services department.