The death toll from a fatal fire at a residential building in Hong Kong has risen to 128, according to the city's security head on Friday.
This is the biggest fire to strike the financial center in almost eight decades. Secretary for Security Chris Tang informed reporters during a press conference that dozens were still missing and offered his condolences to the afflicted families.
After searching through the burned remnants of the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po for two days. The fire that destroyed the eight tower estate, which housed over 4,600 people and was covered in green netting and bamboo scaffolding for renovations, has mostly been contained, according to firefighters.
When the fire started on Wednesday afternoon, it is thought that the remodeling coverings contributed to the flames spreading quickly.
Three employees of the construction company were detained by police on suspicion of manslaughter after they allegedly used dangerous materials, such as flammable foam panels covering windows.
As firemen continued to explore over 2,000 units in the high rise building, the verified toll was first estimated at 94 and then at 83 on Thursday. More than twenty four hours after the fire started, flames could still be seen in certain areas.
The financial center's deadliest fire since 1948 claimed the lives of at least 83 individuals on Thursday. More than 24 hours after the fire started, firefighters were still searching the burning high rise complex in Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court, where flames could still be seen in some of the almost 2,000 units.
The investigation into whether bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the structures for estate-wide repair work contributed to the fire's rapid spread was prompted by the fire, which was Hong Kong's deadliest in nearly 80 years.
Hours after police announced that they had detained three men on suspicion of carelessly leaving foam packaging at the site, Hong Kong's anti corruption commission also started looking into the restoration contracts.
Locals claimed that when the fire started, they did not hear any alarms. "The fire spread so fast. A guy with the last name Suen told AFP, "I saw one hose trying to save several buildings, and I felt it was far too slow." He described the scene as "ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbors, telling them to leave."
Although firefighters later made touch with some of them, city leader John Lee had stated early on Thursday that 279 individuals were missing.
The number has not been updated officially by authorities. Families looking for lost relatives were shown pictures of remains recovered from the fire by authorities at a local community center.
A woman with the last name Cheung stated, "If the faces are unrecognizable, there are personal items for people to identify." "I have no words to express how I feel.
There were kids I can't even put it into words. Twelve patients were in critical condition, 29 were serious, and 17 were stable, a government official said AFP on Thursday night.
The extent of the destruction led the Hong Kong government to mandate that all housing estates undergoing significant construction be inspected right away.
Eric Chan, the city's second ranking official, stated that authorities will collaborate closely with the construction sector and that it was "imperative to expedite the full transition to metal scaffolding."
According to state media, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed sympathy to the victims, and the Hong Kong administration announced that Beijing will provide drones, medical supplies, and other support. Emergency finances and temporary housing were set up, and nine shelters were created for displaced residents.
Activities pertaining to the December 7 legislative elections in Hong Kong were also put on hold as a result of the disaster. Authorities reported that pieces of charred scaffolding collapsed in "hellish scenes" late on Wednesday, and that the fire was probably transferred from one structure to another by strong winds and drifting debris.
Some nearby blocks' evacuated occupants were permitted to return home by Thursday afternoon. Crowds gathered in the vicinity of the facility to provide firemen and survivors with supplies.
Clothes, food, and posters with missing person information were handed by volunteers. One of the help organizers, Stone Ngai, 38, said, "It's truly touching." "Everyone in Hong Kong lends a helping hand when someone is in need. It demonstrates how loving Hong Kong residents are.
