The death toll from the massive fire that tore through a residential complex in Hong Kong has climbed to 128 and is expected to rise further, the HKSAR government said on Friday.
Fire Services Department (FSD) teams deployed 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, and used drones to track heat levels and prevent flare-ups.
Flames have been fully extinguished in four of the eight affected buildings at Wang Fuk Court, while the remaining structures are now largely under control, according to reports from Xinhua.
Wang Fuk Court, currently under a major renovation project, had all eight buildings covered in green mesh and scaffolding.
Police have arrested three renovation contractors on suspicion of manslaughter, with investigators pointing to flammable materials wrapped around the buildings as a possible reason for the fire’s rapid spread.
Authorities describe the incident as one of Hong Kong’s worst fires in decades.
Chief Executive John Lee said early Thursday that firefighters had made significant progress after working through the night.
He confirmed that about 279 people remain unaccounted for, while 29 survivors are still hospitalised, including seven in critical condition.
Lee said he was “deeply saddened” by the disaster and pledged full mobilisation of government resources for rescue and relief.
From the exterior, three buildings showed no visible flames, while four others had only sporadic hotspots, officials said.
Lee instructed government departments to focus simultaneously on extinguishing fires, rescuing trapped residents, treating the injured, supporting families and conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.
ALSO READ: Gunbattle erupts between Assam Rifles and militants along Manipur–Myanmar border
Authorities received the first emergency call at 2:51 pm on Wednesday.
As the fire intensified, the alert level was raised to a No. 5 alarm — one of the highest classifications — at 6:22 p.m. Rescue operations remain ongoing.
At a temporary shelter set up for displaced residents, personnel from the Home Affairs Department, Civil Aid Service, Care Teams and the Police Force coordinated relief efforts.
Tai Po district councillor Lam Yick Kuen said volunteers and organisations were donating supplies in large numbers, reflecting strong community solidarity during the crisis.
