The death toll from the massive fire that engulfed seven high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong has climbed to 146, while the whereabouts of around 150 residents remain unknown as search operations entered their fifth day, officials said on Sunday.
Eight people — including a woman linked to ongoing renovation work at the complex — have been arrested by Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency for allegedly using inflammable and substandard construction materials that may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
State-run Xinhua reported that a firefighter is among the dead.
Authorities are still probing how seven towers, comprising 1,984 apartments and home to roughly 4,600 residents, were simultaneously affected by the fire, leaving serious gaps in emergency response and safety measures.
The South China Morning Post reported that survivors claimed the fire alarms did not function, depriving residents of early warning as the flames spread across the buildings.
The incident has triggered a nationwide safety push in China.
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The State Council’s Work Safety Committee has ordered immediate inspections of high-rise residential blocks, offices, hospitals and shopping centres, with a focus on risks linked to renovation activity, ageing infrastructure and obstructed escape routes, China Daily reported.
Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung said the blaze began in perimeter nets on the lower floors, igniting foam boards and quickly jumping to other buildings.
Shattered glass, intense heat and burning bamboo scaffolding further fuelled the disaster, he said, causing “large-scale simultaneous ignition” across multiple structures.
Authorities have relocated survivors to 1,000 vacant flats in the vicinity after their homes were completely gutted.
