Hong Kong firefighters discovered additional bodies on Friday during an extensive search of a tall building complex where a massive fire broke out, resulting in the death toll climbing to 128. The search for victims continues as many individuals remain unaccounted for.
Officials revealed that some fire alarms within the complex, predominantly occupied by older residents, failed to activate during testing. The fire rapidly spread across multiple buildings due to bamboo scaffolding covered in netting and foam panels, allegedly installed by a construction company.
Authorities have detained eight more individuals, aged between 40 and 63, including scaffolding subcontractors, directors of an engineering consultant company, and project managers overseeing the renovation activities. Despite efforts to save residents trapped during the inferno, numerous apartments could not be accessed during the uncontrollable blaze that took approximately 24 hours to bring under control.
Smoke still emanated from the charred buildings two days after the fire, with around 200 people still missing, including 89 unidentified bodies. Over 2,300 firefighters and medical personnel participated in the rescue operation, with 12 firefighters among the injured and one firefighter tragically losing their life.
The apartment complex, comprising eight 31-story buildings in the Tai Po district, was constructed in the 1980s and was undergoing extensive renovation. Following the arrest of three construction company officials for suspected manslaughter, authorities are investigating if materials used in the renovation met fire safety standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the fire.
Police discovered flammable foam panels attached to windows on an unaffected building, believed to have been installed by the construction company. Immediate inspections of similar renovation sites have been planned to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
This incident marks one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong in recent history, surpassing the fatalities of previous blazes in the region. The government has declared mourning days with flags at half-mast and a moment of silence to honor the victims of this tragic event.
