HONG KONG, Nov. 28 -- Residents of a Tai Po housing estate were overwhelmed by shock and sorrow on Thursday as the death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades continued to rise, leaving families grieving those confirmed dead while others begged for news of relatives still missing.

Dozens gathered near the scorched residential blocks, some holding photographs, others anxiously checking their phones as they waited for updates, according to the South China Morning Post.

Many had spent the night shifting between community centres and temporary shelters, hoping authorities would confirm whether their loved ones had escaped the fast-moving blaze.

For families already confronted with the worst news, the grief was palpable.

Mourners pla...