At least 128 people have been confirmed dead after a massive fire tore through a high-rise housing complex in Hong Kong, with authorities warning that the number could rise as more than 200 people remain unaccounted for.
Rescue efforts ended on Friday, more than 24 hours after the blaze devastated seven of the eight towers of the 32-storey Wang Fok Court estate in Tai Po.
The fire erupted Wednesday afternoon and spread with alarming speed, fueled by bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh surrounding the buildings for ongoing renovation work.
Authorities have launched a wide-ranging investigation into what caused the city’s deadliest blaze in 80 years. Eight people were arrested on Friday, including consultants, project managers, scaffolding subcontractors and an intermediary linked to the renovation works, according to international news agencies.
Three construction company employees were detained earlier on suspicion of gross negligence. Officials said some windows had been blocked by flammable polystyrene boards used during construction, helping the fire spread rapidly from floor to floor and between towers.
The government announced financial support for victims, including HK$200,000 to families of the deceased and HK$50,000 in living allowances for affected households.
The densely populated estate housed more than 4,000 residents, including many foreign domestic workers. Officials are coordinating with Philippine and Indonesian consulates to assist survivors, ensure identification and repatriation of victims, and arrange alternative housing for affected workers.
The full investigation into the cause of the fire and the failures that allowed it to spread is expected to take several weeks.
Many elderly residents were trapped inside as flames engulfed multiple towers. Hong Kong’s Security Chief Chris Tang said police may discover additional bodies as they begin detailed inspections. He also confirmed that fire alarms across the complex were found to be non-functional.
Temperatures inside the buildings exceeded 500°C as firefighters battled flames that repeatedly reignited. The government has vowed strict enforcement action after confirming that safety systems had failed and that alarms may not have sounded on the day of the disaster.
Displaced residents—many spending a third night in temporary shelters—are demanding answers, while families of the missing wait anxiously for news.
