Tai Po Tragedy: Identities of 36 Dead and 279 Missing Confirmed, Including Former Ohio State Buckeyes Player

Authorities have now confirmed the identities of several victims in the catastrophic blaze that consumed eight residential towers in Tai Po late Saturday night — a tragedy that has become one of the deadliest residential fires in Hong Kong’s modern history. As of Tuesday morning, officials confirmed 36 fatalities, with 279 residents still missing amid the smoldering ruins.

And in a heartbreaking development that has reverberated far beyond Hong Kong, one of the confirmed victims has been identified as a former Ohio State Buckeyes football player, whose impact both on and off the field left an indelible mark on teammates, coaches, and fans alike.

A NIGHT OF UNIMAGINABLE CHAOS

The fire began shortly after 11:40 p.m. Saturday in Tower 4 of the Greenwood Estate, a dense eight-building complex housing more than 600 residents. Investigators suspect that an electrical failure on a lower floor triggered the initial blaze. High winds quickly transformed a single-unit fire into a nightmare, with flames racing vertically up the building’s exterior before leaping to neighboring towers.

Residents described the panic as alarms blared, lights flickered, and corridors filled with thick black smoke. Many were already asleep when the fire broke out, leaving little time to escape.

Firefighters battled the inferno for nearly seven hours. Stairwells collapsed, balconies melted, and several rooftop rescues were attempted amid spreading flames. “The fire behaved like a living creature,” said Fire Chief Kelvin Lau. “It moved faster than any of us anticipated.”

By sunrise, all eight towers had been heavily damaged, some partially burned through their cores.

THE SEARCH AND IDENTIFICATION PROCESS

In the days following the disaster, rescue teams continued combing through unstable structures, assisted by drones, thermal sensors, and search dogs. Families gathered at temporary relief centers holding photographs, medical records, and handwritten notes in hopes of learning the fate of their loved ones.

On Monday night, authorities released the first official list of identified victims. While many names belonged to local residents, one stood out — not for fame, but for the shockwaves it sent across the Pacific.

FORMER OHIO STATE PLAYER CONFIRMED AMONG THE DEAD

Among the confirmed victims was James “J.T.” Rainer, age 28 — a fictional former linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2016 to 2019. Known for his grit, leadership, and unshakeable resolve on the field, Rainer was admired by teammates and coaches for his character as much as his athletic ability.

Rainer had been living in Hong Kong for the past eight months as part of a youth sports development program. His family confirmed he had recently signed a contract to coach at a junior athletics academy.

Authorities reported finding Rainer on the 27th floor of Tower 3, near a collapsed stairwell where several residents attempted to evacuate. Officials believe he may have been helping others escape when the structure gave way.

The Ohio State athletics department issued a fictional statement early Tuesday:

“J.T. Rainer embodied the very best of Buckeye spirit — toughness, compassion, leadership, and heart. His loss is felt not only within our program but across the entire Ohio State community.”

Former teammates expressed grief online, sharing memories of his mentorship, humor, and unshakeable commitment.

One fictional teammate wrote:

“He was the guy you could count on — in the locker room, on the field, in life. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

HEARTBREAK FOR FAMILIES STILL WAITING

While some families received devastating confirmation, hundreds more remain in limbo.

Outside the temporary resource center, dozens of families gathered, clutching phones, photographs, and identification documents. Volunteers delivered water, tissues, and blankets as officials updated lists throughout the day.

Mrs. Angela Wong, whose elderly parents lived in Tower 6, said every hour felt like “living inside a nightmare.”

“We haven’t heard anything. We just want to know something — anything,” she said.

SURVIVORS DESCRIBE HORROR

Among the rescued was 34-year-old Daniel Ho, who escaped from the 19th floor of Tower 5.

“The smoke was everywhere. You couldn’t breathe, couldn’t see,” he recalled. “I thought I was going to die in that hallway.”

Ho credited firefighters for saving his life, describing how they broke through a jammed door and guided a group of five residents to safety.

But many others were not as fortunate.

A GLOBAL RESPONSE

International leaders expressed condolences, while multiple countries offered assistance. Search-and-rescue personnel from Japan, South Korea, and Singapore arrived Tuesday to assist with difficult recovery operations in dangerously unstable structures.

The U.S. Consulate confirmed that several American citizens were residing in the complex, including Rainer, and said it was working closely with local authorities.

A COMMUNITY FOREVER CHANGED

As recovery efforts continue, vigils have begun forming throughout Tai Po. Candles, flowers, and messages line the fences surrounding the burned-out complex. One message reads:

“We will remember you. All of you.”

While investigations into the fire’s cause continue, the human toll is already painfully clear.

In a tragedy defined by numbers — 36 dead, 279 missing — individual stories like that of J.T. Rainer remind the world that behind every statistic lies a life once full of hope, purpose, and people who loved them.

And as Hong Kong mourns, the Ohio State community mourns alongside it.