Hong Kong tower fire kills 146 with 150 still missing as outrage grows over safety failures
The blaze, which erupted at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the Tai Po district, has been described as the deadliest in the city in more than 70 years.
At least 146 people have died after a massive fire ripped through high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong on Wednesday, authorities confirmed on Sunday, warning that the toll could rise as 150 people remain unaccounted for while 79 others are nursing injuries.
The fire erupted at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the Tai Po district, quickly engulfing seven of its eight tower blocks.
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The housing complex, built in 1983, housed nearly 4,600 residents in 1,984 apartments, many of whom were elderly.
According to officials, the flames spread quickly across blocks, fueled by plastic netting, bamboo scaffolding and other flammable materials on the exterior.
The emergency response involved more than 2,000 firefighters, who worked over 40 hours to bring the fire under control.
Police and investigators have since entered the buildings to recover bodies and collect evidence, with searches completed in four of the eight blocks.
Investigators, who are still working to determine the exact cause of the inferno, estimate the investigation could take three to four weeks to conclude.
According to the BBC, three days of national mourning began on Saturday, with thousands of people gathering at the site to pay tribute to the victims.
Officials observed a three-minute silence to mark the start of mourning, while flags across Hong Kong and China were lowered to half-staff in respect for the dead.
Public outrage
The incident has caused public outrage over building safety and construction practices in Hong Kong, with some residents reporting that fire alarms failed to sound across the housing complex, hindering early evacuation.
In a crackdown following the tragedy, eight people have been arrested on suspicion of corruption linked to ongoing renovations at the towers, while three others face manslaughter charges.
According to Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption, those detained include directors of engineering companies and scaffolding subcontractors. Hong Kong police have pointed to "gross negligence" as a major reason the blaze spread so quickly.
Similarly, the city's buildings department has temporarily suspended 30 private construction projects.
The blaze has been described as the deadliest in the city in more than 70 years.
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