A tragic incident that has shaken Hong Kong society, the sudden outbreak of a five-alarm fire at the Grand Puyak Unib, with seven of the eight residential buildings affected, resulting in at least 83 fatalities and over 200 people missing. This is Hong Kong’s most severe residential fire in recent years, sparking strong questions from the public about government oversight, scaffold safety, and contractor responsibility.
In the second half of the program, we will shift our focus to the United States. The Trump administration announced the results of the second round of large-scale drug price negotiations, with an average price reduction of 44% for 15 chronic disease and cancer drugs, expected to save up to $12 billion in healthcare costs and considered a significant breakthrough in the “Affordable Action” initiative.
The disasters in Hong Kong and the drug price negotiations in the United States, one sorrowful and one joyous, raise critical issues concerning government responsibilities and public safety.
On the afternoon of November 26 (Wednesday), a massive fire broke out at the Grand Puyak Unib in Hong Kong, rapidly spreading and engulfing multiple apartment buildings. As of the time of writing, the death toll has risen to 83, with over 200 people still missing.
According to the Hong Kong police, the fire initially started burning on the scaffold outside the Hongchang Pavilion, quickly spreading to nearby buildings like Hongtai Tower and Hongxin Tower. The fire was estimated to have started at around 2:45 pm, with numerous emergency calls reporting the sudden blaze on the scaffold outside the Hongchang Pavilion. Many residents were trapped in their homes, inhaling thick smoke, and experiencing difficulties evacuating.
Hong Kong Fire Services received a fire alarm report at 2:51 pm, and within four hours, the fire alarm level escalated from 2 to 5. The Fire Services stated that due to high temperatures inside the buildings, some floors were inaccessible. Officials mentioned during a press conference that out of the eight residential buildings in the complex, seven were ablaze, partly exacerbated by the strong winds.
Publicly available video footage showed flames engulfing the scaffold outside the Hong Puyun Pavilion, reaching several stories high, with thick smoke filling the air and some building materials falling from the sky. Flames were seen shooting out of windows in some residential units. Explosions were heard intermittently, and nearby structures were also affected, causing a critical situation. The thick smoke even drifted to the Sha Tin district, with search and rescue operations ongoing.
The Hong Kong Fire Services confirmed that a firefighter was killed in the line of duty, while another firefighter was hospitalized due to heat exhaustion and is currently undergoing treatment. The deceased firefighter, surname He, 37 years old and serving for 9 years stationed at the Sha Tin Fire Station, was reported to have joined the firefighting operation at around 3 pm and went missing half an hour later. He was later found in a vacant lot across from the Hongchang Pavilion about half an hour after that, with burns on his face, in a state of unconsciousness. Paramedics performed emergency first aid and CPR on He before he was transported to Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment, but sadly was confirmed dead at 4:45 pm.
Yang Enjian, Director of the Hong Kong Fire Services, described the deceased firefighter as always fulfilling his duties and displaying bravery. The department expressed profound sorrow for the loss of their dedicated colleague and extended their deepest condolences to his family on behalf of all department members. The Fire Services’ Welfare and Psychological Services units were in close contact with He’s family, pledging to provide any necessary assistance to help them through this difficult and sorrowful time.
It was reported that during the peak of the rescue operation, over 300 firefighters, paramedics, and dozens of fire trucks were mobilized for firefighting and search and rescue efforts.
At a press conference, Yang Enjian stated that while he believes the Fire Department has sufficient resources to extinguish fires, the challenge lies in the limited space within the building. “You can imagine on such a small area, with so many firefighters on each floor. We have deployed all firefighters the building can accommodate,” he said.
Yang Enjian also mentioned that during the firefighting process, the Fire Department found some windows blocked by foam plastic boards, and the same situation was discovered in the non-burning eighth building. He stated that these boards are “highly flammable” and their presence in that location was rare. Yang Enjian mentioned that the department had reported this issue to the police.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Li Jiazhao told reporters earlier on Thursday that among the 36 deceased victims, one was a firefighter, while 29 people were hospitalized, with around 900 individuals being accommodated in shelters.
The Tai Po District Office has opened the Kwong Fuk Community Hall and Tung Cheung Street Community Hall as temporary shelters for citizens in need. The Chinese Methodist Church Fung Leung Kit Memorial School has also been opened as a temporary relief center to accommodate evacuated residents. Additionally, the District Office has set up an aid station at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital to provide assistance to citizens and handle inquiries.
A resident told CNN that when the fire broke out, the fire alarm in her home did not sound, delaying her evacuation decision.
A recently retired senior citizen mentioned to CNN that he had spent eight months and tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars renovating his residence, which he had been preparing to move into, only to have it “completely burnt to the ground.”
According to CNN reports, residents at the scene questioned why more firefighting equipment was not deployed, and why firefighting helicopters were not utilized.
Experts pointed out that Grand Puyak Unib was undergoing renovation works, with bamboo scaffolding covering the exterior walls. These bamboo scaffolds, being combustible materials, aided in the rapid spread of the fire.
The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions stated that multiple incidents related to scaffold fires had occurred in Hong Kong this year, including a scaffold fire in April in Tuen Mun Ching Chun Wai, a bamboo scaffold and netting fire in May in Sai Ying Pun Des Voeux Road West suspected to be caused by an unextinguished cigarette butt, and a three-alarm fire in October involving bamboo scaffolding on the exterior of the Wah Mok Building.
The Confederation expressed deep concern about the consecutive scaffold fires and urged relevant departments to swiftly investigate the causes of the accidents and whether the protection nets used for scaffolding were compliant regulations. According to the Buildings Department’s “Bamboo Scaffolding Design and Construction Guidelines” and the Labour Department’s “Bamboo Scaffolding Work Safety Code,” fire-resistant protection screens must be installed on the scaffolding surfaces and meet approved standards to reduce the risk of fire spread.
Chairman of the “Zhongke Supervision,” a construction entrepreneur himself, Pan Zhaohong questioned why fire-resistant scaffolding nets were not used in the Grand Puyak Unib project, leading to the fire. He directly mentioned Fire Services Director Yang Enjian, accusing him of long ignoring the issue of scaffolding aiding combustion.
In a Facebook post, Pan Zhaohong mentioned that regulations stipulate that fire-resistant scaffolding nets must be used if scaffolding is erected on buildings in use. If on a general construction site not occupied by citizens, then it may be exempt. He referenced the overnight three-alarm fire at the 2023 Tsim Sha Tsui Yacht Club Hotel reconstruction site and the previous month’s three-alarm fire at the Central Hoho Building as examples of sites not using fire-resistant scaffolding nets.
Pan Zhaohong stated that during the discovery of improperly specified scaffolding at the 2024 Sparkling Aura project, he continuously made complaints to the Fire Services, Labour Department, and the Housing Department’s independent investigation unit. However, officials showed an indifferent attitude and shielded the contractors.
Pan Zhaohong said, “The consequence of officials neglecting their duties in Sparkling Aura is that the repair industry feels fearless, believing that the government will not enforce legal requirements.” He added, “The result is the fire at the Grand Puyak Unib!,” naming Yang Enjian as “one of the negligent officials” and criticizing officials who neglect their duties, disregarding citizens’ lives.
Pan Zhaohong demanded that these officials be held accountable and step down, offering a public apology to the citizens.
According to data from the Hong Kong Housing Authority’s website, the Grand Puyak Unib, comprising eight buildings, was completed in 1983, with a total of 1,984 apartment units.
According to a analysis of government data by real estate agency Midland Realty, the complex has 4,643 residents, with over a third of them aged 65 and above.
This government-subsidized apartment complex is surrounded by playgrounds, schools, adjacent shopping centers, and churches. The sale price of a two-bedroom apartment measuring slightly under 500 square feet is approximately HK$2.85 million (around US$366,500).
Reports suggest that the complex had undergone a year-long renovation costing HK$330 million (around US$42.4 million), with renovation costs ranging from HK$160,000 to HK$180,000 per unit. The nearest fire station is located in Tai Po, a ten-minute drive away.
Moving on to a piece of domestic news from the United States.
The U.S. government recently achieved substantial price reductions of 44% on average for 15 chronic disease and cancer drugs through large-scale drug price negotiations. This initiative is part of the Trump administration’s “Affordable Action,” aimed at alleviating the public’s healthcare expenses.
On November 25 (Tuesday), the Trump administration announced the successful negotiation of significant price reductions for 15 high-cost prescription drugs during the second round of Federal Health Insurance drug pricing negotiations. It is estimated that these negotiations will save Medicare, the federal health insurance plan for the elderly, $12 billion and reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients by approximately $685 million.
According to data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Tuesday, the price reductions achieved by the Trump administration’s negotiations range between 38% and 85%, far surpassing the results of the first round of negotiations in 2024. The 15 drugs targeted in these negotiations are among the highest spending drugs under Medicare Part D and are used to treat chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and asthma. The new prices for these drugs will take effect in 2027.
Among the drugs significantly reduced in price in this round of negotiations are: 85% reduction for the diabetes drugs Janumet and Janumet XR; 84% reduction for Tradjenta; 83% reduction for the asthma drug Breo Ellipta; concerning cancer treatments, Pfizer’s breast cancer drug Ibrance and Boehringer Ingelheim’s lung fibrosis drug Ofev both experienced a 50% price reduction compared to 2024.
Furthermore, the diabetes and weight-loss drugs produced by Novo Nordisk, covered by federal health insurance, also saw significant price decreases after the negotiations.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, “President Trump has directed us to spare no effort in reducing healthcare costs for the American people. As we work towards restoring America’s health, we will employ every available tool to provide affordable healthcare to the elderly.”
According to a report by Politico, CMS Deputy Director Chris Klomp expressed that the key to the second round of negotiations was the Trump administration’s displayed willingness to leave the negotiating table if reasonable agreements cannot be reached.
Under the 2022 “Inflation Reduction Act,” pharmaceutical companies that declined to participate in negotiations might face substantial consumption taxes, or potentially be required to withdraw from covering nearly 150 million Americans under the federal health insurance Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Currently, about 5.3 million Medicare beneficiaries are using these 15 drugs, with the first round of negotiations in 2024 involving 10 drugs, saving around $6 billion. The savings from the new round of negotiations are twice that of the previous negotiations.
As per the “Inflation Reduction Act,” in 2028, a maximum of 15 drugs will be selected for price negotiations, and in subsequent years, possibly up to 20 drugs. With time, the number of drugs negotiated for pricing will continue to grow, benefiting more elderly Americans.
Through the “Epoch Focus” production team.