Hong kong: The death toll from Hong Kong's worst fire in decades has climbed to 128, as authorities confirm they have contained the blaze that ravaged a residential complex in the Tai Po district, according to local media.
According to Anadolu Agency, a firefighter was among those who perished, while 79 individuals sustained injuries, including 11 firefighters. Rescue efforts are ongoing, although the fires in all blocks of the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex have been subdued.
Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung reported that the death toll has now reached 128 and cautioned that more bodies could still be found. Authorities have received 467 reports of missing individuals, with around 200 people in "uncertain situations," including 80 bodies that remain "unidentified," Tang stated.
Earlier reports indicated that 280 people were still missing following the incident. Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu confirmed that the fires in the seven affected buildings have been controlled.
The fire erupted around noon on Wednesday in a complex consisting of over 1,900 apartments, spreading rapidly due to bamboo scaffolding installed for renovation work. The complex comprises eight towers with an estimated population of over 4,000 residents.
Police have detained two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction and Engineering Company on suspicion of manslaughter. Authorities suggest that the bamboo scaffolding and foam plastic materials covering the windows significantly accelerated the fire's spread.
Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee remarked, "We have reason to believe that the individuals responsible at the company were grossly negligent, which caused the fire to spread quickly and led to many fatalities." Chris Tang noted that initial investigations revealed the unusual speed of the fire's spread, primarily due to foam insulation material.
'We found that the material covering the building walls, the netting around the scaffolding, and the waterproof tarpaulin caused flames to spread much faster than would occur with materials that meet safety standards,' he observed.
For the first time in 17 years, Hong Kong issued a level-5 fire alarm, the highest on its five-tier scale. Authorities reported that two neighboring complexes were evacuated and around 900 residents affected by the fire have sought refuge at eight temporary facilities.
More than 140 firefighting vehicles and over 800 emergency and fire personnel were deployed to the scene. The Transportation Department announced road closures in the area due to the fire.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to the Hong Kong government over the loss of life and instructed the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office in Beijing to support local authorities in their response.
Chief Executive Lee expressed profound sorrow over the high number of deaths and injuries, offering condolences to the victims' families and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. He also convened an emergency Cabinet meeting to coordinate the response to the disaster.