A catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has claimed at least 128 lives. Around 200 people remain missing, and rescue operations have officially ended as investigations and support efforts begin.
The Russian-US Soyuz MS-28 mission successfully reached the International Space Station with three crew members aboard — two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut. However, the liftoff damaged the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, raising concerns about future crewed launches.
Analysts warn that damage to Baikonur’s Site 31/6 — now Russia’s only operational pad for crewed missions — could halt future launches. Authorities say they have spare parts and expect repairs soon.
The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft lifted off on 27 November 2025 carrying a US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts, beginning an ~8-month expedition to the ISS under call sign “Gyrfalcon.”
As thousands are displaced after the fire in Tai Po, volunteers and residents have set up relief camps, collecting supplies, offering shelter, and coordinating donations to support victims and survivors.
The fire spread rapidly through bamboo scaffolding covered with flammable mesh — materials under scrutiny after past complaints about safety. The incident has triggered calls for stricter regulations for renovation safety in densely populated cities.
The arrival of the Soyuz MS-28 crew — including a NASA astronaut — signals continued international cooperation in space exploration despite rising global tensions.
After more than 40 hours, rescue services officially concluded operations in the burned towers. Authorities continue identity verification of victims and try to account for the missing.
The scale of casualties and failures — including non-functional fire alarms and use of unsafe exterior materials — has reignited debates over building safety standards in megacities worldwide.
With one of Russia’s main launch pads damaged, the international space community monitors implications for ISS resupply and crew rotations — especially as no alternate pad is yet ready.