Deadliest Hong Kong Fire in Decades Claims 128 Lives
A devastating fire that swept through multiple tower blocks in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has claimed 128 lives, with 79 people injured and approximately 200 still unaccounted for, according to Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang.
The tragedy, which began on Wednesday, represents the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1948 when 176 people perished in a warehouse blaze. Emergency services have now concluded their recovery mission after days of battling intense flames and heavy smoke.
Construction Negligence and Arrests
Police have arrested three construction company officials from Prestige Construction on suspicion of manslaughter. The company had been conducting renovation work on the housing estate for over a year.
Authorities allege the company used unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards blocking windows, which contributed to the fire's rapid spread. Police Superintendent Eileen Chung stated: "We have reason to believe that the company's responsible parties were grossly negligent, which led to this accident and caused the fire to spread uncontrollably, resulting in major casualties."
During a raid on the company's office, police seized bidding documents, employee lists, 14 computers and three mobile phones as part of their investigation.
Failed Safety Systems and Rescue Efforts
The housing estate, home to more than 4,600 residents, was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh for renovation when the fire ignited and quickly spread through the structures.
Security Chief Tang confirmed that fire alarms in the affected buildings were not working properly at the time of the blaze. The incident has drawn comparisons to the Grenfell Tower fire in west London that killed 72 people in 2017.
Twelve firefighters were injured during rescue operations, with one reported to be in serious condition. While firefighters contained the blaze on Friday and extinguished the smouldering complex, families continue searching through photographs taken by emergency workers hoping to identify missing loved ones.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed the community's anguish: "Rationally speaking, it means there's no hope. But the bodies still have to be found, right? It's just too sorrowful. When it involves people you know, it's even more painful."
Government Response and Safety Reforms
In response to the catastrophe, Hong Kong's development bureau has discussed gradually replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal scaffolding as a safety measure.
Hong Kong leader John Lee announced the government would establish a HK$300 million (£33 million) fund to assist affected residents. Several of China's largest listed companies have also pledged donations to support recovery efforts.
The community now faces the difficult task of rebuilding while mourning one of Hong Kong's worst urban disasters in modern history.
