Hong Kong Mourns After Deadly High-Rise Fire
Hong Kong is reeling after a devastating fire in a high-rise apartment complex claimed the lives of at least 128 people. Firefighters worked tirelessly, searching apartment by apartment in the charred remains of the Wang Fuk Court complex in the Tai Po district.
The fire, which broke out Wednesday afternoon, quickly spread through seven of the complex’s eight buildings, fueled by bamboo scaffolding used for ongoing renovations. Authorities report that some fire alarms in the building were not working.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang stated that the search for victims continues, and the death toll could still rise. A large number of the recovered bodies remain unidentified, and many people are still unaccounted for. An investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to take several weeks.
Director of Hong Kong Fire Services, Andy Yeung, expressed concern that non-functioning fire alarms could have legal consequences.
Three men, including directors and an engineering consultant from a construction company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. Authorities suspect negligence and the use of substandard materials in the building’s renovation contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Concerns have been raised about whether materials used on the exterior walls met proper fire resistance standards. Plastic foam panels, a highly flammable material, were found attached to windows.
The government has announced immediate inspections of other housing estates undergoing major renovations to ensure safety standards are being met. This fire marks one of the deadliest tragedies in Hong Kong’s history.
