Hong Kong mourns after a tragedy
Hong Kong is facing one of its darkest moments after a massive fire broke out on November 26, 2025, at the thirty-two-story Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po. The flames spread through seven of the eight buildings and continued burning for more than 24 hours. By the evening of November 27, authorities had confirmed 75 deaths so far, including a firefighter and two domestic helpers, along with 76 injured residents. More than 270 people remain missing, many of them children and elderly individuals, with numbers expected to increase. The scale of this tragedy marks the most devastating event since Hong Kong’s 1948 warehouse fire.
Citywide event cancellations reflect the grief
Hong Kong immediately entered a sombre period, with major cultural and sporting events being cancelled. Oxfam postponed the 2025 Oxfam Trailwalker to allow emergency services to focus entirely on rescue efforts. The Zootopia 2 premiere at Hong Kong Disneyland was canceled, concerts were postponed, and even the Cyclothon cycling event entered suspension discussions. Election activities for the upcoming Legislative Council election were halted while leaders reviewed whether postponement was necessary. President Xi Jinping issued condolences and urged officials to minimise harm as temporary shelters receive displaced citizens.
The 2025 MAMA Awards will continue as planned
Amidst this nationwide mourning, users began raising questions about the possibility of cancellation for the 2025 MAMA Awards, scheduled for November 28-29. On November 27, CJ ENM confirmed that the ceremony would proceed but with a transformed mission. Instead of flashy performances, the event will include moments of remembrance, messages of support for Hong Kong, and donation efforts for victims. Organizers stated they believe in the healing power of music and promised a ceremony designed to offer comfort, solidarity, and hope during one of the most painful moments in Hong Kong’s recent history. Read their official statement here:
“Hello. This is the 2025 MAMA AWARDS.
We express our deepest condolences to the victims of the fires in Hong Kong.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families experiencing hardship, and all those struggling with great loss and anxiety.
The 2025 MAMA Awards will add a message of ‘Support Hong Kong’, creating a time to share in the grief and commemorate the victims. We will also contribute with donations to help support the victims.
The 2025 MAMA Awards believes in the power of music to heal and bring people together.
We are carefully preparing the overall stage design and execution to ensure that the concert is one that delivers comfort and hope, instead of just flashy production.
We hope this music can bring some amount of comfort and courage to your hearts.
We will make the 2025 MAMA AWARDS a responsible event that does its best, until the very end.”