At Least 128 Confirmed D£ad In Hong Kong !nferno As Investigation Continues
At Least 128 Confirmed Dead In Hong Kong Inferno As Investigation Continues
Authorities say the blaze — which raged for more than 19 hours — marks the city’s deadliest fire in decades, according to a BBC report.
At least 128 people have been confirmed dead and dozens remain unaccounted for after a massive fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on Wednesday.
Authorities say the blaze — which raged for more than 19 hours — marks the city’s deadliest fire in decades, according to a BBC report.
At a Thursday morning briefing, officials confirmed that 79 people were injured, while 16 bodies remain inside the scorched buildings as recovery teams continue searching debris-filled corridors and apartments.
The fire broke out at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) in one of the eight 31-storey tower blocks. Within minutes, flames were seen climbing exterior walls.
According to residents’ posts on social media, the fire had already reached multiple floors six minutes after it ignited. Within 90 minutes, it had leapt to at least two additional towers.
The police say the complex was undergoing renovation, and investigators found non-fireproof materials, including plastic sheets, affixed to the buildings’ exteriors.
An official at an earlier press conference said the fire’s explosive spread was likely fuelled by “Styrofoam placed outside the windows” of various flats.
The towers were also wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, a traditional construction method still widely used in Hong Kong.
While some residents questioned its safety, officials have previously pushed to reduce reliance on bamboo after several fire-related incidents.
Residents reported that fire alarms failed to sound, leaving many unaware of the fast-approaching danger. Authorities later confirmed that alarm systems in all eight blocks were “not working effectively.”
“It is deeply concerning that residents did not receive timely warnings,” one fire services spokesperson said.
“We are examining why the alarm systems failed across multiple buildings.”
Meanwhile, the police have arrested three men from the construction firm overseeing renovation work on suspicion of manslaughter.
A police spokesperson said there was “reason to believe that those in charge at the company were grossly negligent.”
A separate corruption investigation is also underway.
Hong Kong’s labour and welfare secretary, Chris Sun, revealed his department had conducted 16 safety inspections at Wang Fuk Court since July last year, many triggered by complaints.
“Our last check was on 20 November,” Sun said. “A written reminder on fire safety was issued after complaints that workers had been smoking at the site.”
Authorities say the formal investigation will continue “over the next few weeks.”
Reporters on the ground observed teams wearing full protective gear entering the damaged blocks Thursday morning.
Officials announced that emergency financial assistance schemes will be created for displaced residents who lost their homes and belongings in the disaster.
As recovery operations continue, the tragedy has sparked widespread calls for stronger construction oversight and improved fire-safety enforcement across Hong Kong’s vast network of high-rise estates.
