Firefighters in Hong Kong continued to battle a massive blaze on Thursday after a fire tore through multiple high-rise residential towers, claiming at least 44 lives and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Police have arrested three men for allegedly allowing flammable materials to remain at the site, triggering what authorities described as a rapid, uncontrollable spread of the inferno.

Blaze engulfs high-rise complex, residents trapped

The fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon across several 31-storey buildings of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which was undergoing large-scale repair work. Bamboo scaffolding around the structures caught fire first, leading to intense flames, thick smoke and falling debris.
Residents described chaotic scenes as many elderly occupants were unable to move quickly, and some flats had windows sealed due to ongoing maintenance work.

Police make arrests as probe deepens

According to officials, investigators believe maintenance-related foam packaging left on-site acted as fuel. Police said the three arrested individuals “acted with gross negligence.”
Officers searched locations in another neighbourhood, seizing documents related to the case.

Firefighters struggle to reach trapped residents

Authorities reported that extreme heat inside parts of the complex made rescue operations difficult. Some floors remained inaccessible despite repeated attempts by firefighters.

Among the victims was a 37-year-old firefighter who lost contact during operations and was later found with severe burns. Authorities also confirmed that 56 injured people were hospitalised, including many in critical or serious condition.

Hundreds missing; shelters set up

Chief Executive John Lee said early on Thursday that 279 people were initially unaccounted for, though some have since been contacted. More than 900 residents took shelter in temporary facilities overnight.

Surrounding buildings were evacuated and sections of a nearby highway were closed as the fire continued to burn.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to the victims, including the firefighter who died in the line of duty.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday for the first time in nearly 12,000 years, sending massive ash clouds thousands of feet high and impacting several countries, including India. The ash drifted into parts of western and northern India, reaching Delhi at a time when the city is already battling hazardous air quality levels.

Ash plume travels across regions, affects flights in India

According to updates, strong winds blowing at 100–120 km/h carried the volcanic ash from Ethiopia across the Red Sea, Yemen, Oman, and the Arabian Sea before entering Gujarat. The plume later moved towards Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the ash cloud is now drifting towards China and is expected to clear Indian airspace by evening.

The ash intrusion disrupted flight operations, with several airlines adjusting schedules. The aviation regulator issued an advisory asking carriers to avoid affected routes and immediately report any suspected ash encounters or irregularities in aircraft performance.

Air India cancelled multiple flights after precautionary checks on aircraft that flew over possibly affected regions. IndiGo also assured that it is monitoring the situation closely and taking all necessary safety measures.

A weather expert said the plume primarily contains sulphur dioxide with low to moderate volcanic ash concentration. While it may not directly worsen the air quality index, the SO₂ levels could rise in the Himalayas, Nepal, and adjoining areas.

First eruption in 12 millennia

The eruption shot smoke up to nearly 14 kilometres into the sky and blanketed nearby villages with ash. Residents in the Afar region reported hearing a loud blast that felt like a shock wave.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program noted that Hayli Gubbi had no documented eruptions during the Holocene, making this its first known activity in about 12,000 years.

Airlines respond to volcanic ash

Air India cancelled flights on routes including:

• Newark–Delhi
• New York–Delhi
• Dubai–Hyderabad
• Doha–Mumbai
• Dubai–Chennai
• Dammam–Mumbai
• Doha–Delhi
• Chennai–Mumbai
• Hyderabad–Delhi

The airline apologised to passengers, stating the situation was beyond its control. IndiGo also issued a public note reassuring travellers of safe operations amid the evolving conditions.

A US bankruptcy court has held Byju’s founder Byju Raveendran personally liable for more than $1.07 billion, issuing a default judgment in connection with the movement and concealment of funds from Byju’s Alpha, the company’s US-based financing unit.

Court finds Raveendran liable after repeated non-compliance

The ruling, passed by Judge Brendan Shannon of the Delaware Bankruptcy Court, came after Raveendran allegedly failed to appear before the court and did not provide the required documents, according to media.
A default judgment is issued when a party does not participate in proceedings or ignores court orders, allowing the court to rule without a full trial.

Raveendran denies allegations, plans to appeal

Reacting to the development, Raveendran denied all accusations and said he will challenge the order. He said the judgment was passed on an “expedited basis”, preventing him from presenting his defence.
According to the statement, the court “ignored relevant facts” and “denied” the opportunity to explain that the Alpha loan funds were not used for personal benefit by him or other founders.
He further stated that the money in question was utilised for the benefit of Think & Learn Private Limited (TLPL), the parent company of Byju’s, and that the lender, GLAS Trust, was aware of this.

How the funds moved

Byju’s Alpha was set up in Delaware in 2021 as a special-purpose vehicle to handle a $1.2 billion term loan from global lenders. The entity did not have an operational business and mainly held the loan proceeds.
Court filings indicated that $533 million was transferred from Alpha to Miami-based Camshaft Capital and later moved through affiliated entities such as Inspilearn and then to an offshore trust, without any funds returning to Alpha.