Death toll in Hong Kong residential building fire rises to 128
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Hong Kong: The death toll from a massive fire that broke out at a residential complex in Hong Kong has risen to 128, and it may grow higher, the HKSAR administration warned on Friday.
To prevent rekindling, the FSD dispatched 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, as well as drones, to monitor heat levels. According to Xinhua News Agency, the department doused flames in four of the affected buildings and got the fire under control in the other three.
The residential area Wang Fuk Court consists of eight buildings, all of which were encased by green mesh and scaffolding due to a major renovation project. Three men responsible for the renovations were arrested earlier for suspected manslaughter, as the police investigation pointed to flammable materials covering the buildings as a possible cause for the rapid spread of fire. It is considered the worst blaze Hong Kong has seen in decades.
Earlier, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said in the small hours on Thursday that the fire at Wang Fuk Court has been gradually brought under control after firefighters' tireless efforts, IANS reported.
Speaking at a press briefing, Lee mentioned that around 279 people are still missing. Twenty-nine remained hospitalised, including seven in critical condition. Lee said he was deeply saddened by the situation.
He said that from the outside, three buildings now showed no visible flames, while four others displayed only sporadic fire spots.
Lee stressed that the government will mobilise all resources to fully support the rescue operations. He has instructed departments and units to carry out comprehensive work, including extinguishing the fire, rescuing trapped residents, treating the injured, providing assistance and emotional support to families, and conducting a full investigation into the accident.
The Fire Services Department was notified of the accident at around 2:51 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Due to the fierce blaze, the department raised the alert to a No. 5 alarm fire at 6:22 pm local time. Rescue operations were still ongoing.
At one of the temporary shelters, personnel from the Home Affairs Department, Civil Aid Service, Care Teams, and the Police Force worked together, each fulfilling their roles and coordinating efforts.
Lam Yick Kuen, a Tai Po Care Team member and district councillor, said that many organisations and individuals had voluntarily donated supplies, demonstrating solidarity and mutual care in times of crisis.