At least 128 people have been confirmed dead following a devastating fire at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong, authorities said Thursday, as rescue operations transitioned fully to recovery.
The blaze engulfed seven of the eight towers at Wang Fuk Court in the city’s Tai Po district. The structures — undergoing renovation — were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green netting, elements investigators believe helped the fire spread rapidly across the complex.
At a press briefing, officials said 16 bodies remain inside the charred towers, where crews continue to sift through collapsed sections and tangled scaffolding in search of victims.
Authorities arrested three executives from the renovation company on suspicion of manslaughter, based on preliminary findings that exterior materials lacked fireproofing — potentially accelerating the blaze.
Angry residents expressed outrage at what they see as long-ignored safety failures. “This was preventable,” one local said, voicing frustration over allegedly negligent maintenance and renovation practices.
Officials disclosed that multiple fire alarms in the complex failed to function properly. Coupled with flammable external materials — including plastic foam and bamboo scaffolding — this failure likely allowed the blaze to spread without early containment.
Rescue authorities said over 2,300 fire and medical personnel were mobilized for the operation, which lasted about 24 hours before being declared under control. Still, thick smoke and occasional flare-ups hampered initial efforts, and crews continued to force entry into apartments believed to be unreachable when the fire raged.
With the complexity and scale of the disaster now clear, the investigation is expected to stretch over several weeks.
Government officials have pledged to thoroughly examine compliance with safety standards — especially in renovation practices — to prevent future tragedies.
