A fire in Hong Kong has claimed the lives of at least 128 people, marking the region’s deadliest blaze in over 70 years. The incident occurred in the Tai Po suburb, affecting multiple high-rise buildings. Alongside the fatalities, 79 individuals suffered injuries, and dozens are reported missing.
The buildings involved, Wang Fuk Court, were undergoing renovation when the fire broke out. Preliminary information suggests that flammable materials, including Styrofoam placed on the exterior, may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Three individuals responsible for the renovations are currently in custody on manslaughter charges, and a corruption investigation is underway.
Firefighting efforts required the involvement of over 2,300 firefighters, with the fire fully extinguished by 10:18 local time on Friday. Despite these efforts, reports indicate that 89 bodies remain unidentified, with 16 still inside the buildings. The fire, which ignited around 14:51 local time on Wednesday, escalated quickly, reaching temperatures of up to 500°C (932°F).
As fire officials work to gather evidence, an investigation will be conducted over the following three to four weeks. Reports of malfunctioning fire alarms have surfaced; residents noted that alarms in the affected blocks were not effective at the time of the fire. Concerns regarding prior complaints about renovation practices and fire-safety compliance have also been raised.
Among the deceased is firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who collapsed at the scene after losing contact with colleagues. Two Indonesian workers involved in the renovations have also died, with others still unaccounted for. Wang Fuk Court, built in 1983, provided nearly 2,000 apartments to around 4,600 residents, a significant portion of whom are elderly. The last deadliest fire in Hong Kong occurred in 1948, resulting in 176 fatalities.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79xd17dre3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss