At least 146 people are known to have died in a devastating fire that tore through multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong.
Police announced the death toll in a news conference, cautioning that they cannot rule out the possibility of further fatalities. A further 79 are injured and 150 remain missing.
Seven of eight tower blocks in a housing complex in the Tai Po district rapidly went up in flames on Wednesday. Accusations that the fire was fueled by flammable materials on the outside of the buildings have sparked anger and concern.
Thousands gathered at the Wang Fuk Court complex to mourn the victims, with queues stretching to almost 2 km.
The death toll has been rising as officials work to recover and identify bodies. The exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation. Eight arrests have been made on suspicion of corruption related to renovations, while three others were detained on manslaughter charges.
The fire was only fully extinguished by Friday morning, requiring over 2,000 firefighters to bring it under control. Authorities have determined that the fire reached temperatures of 500°C (932°F).
Among the deceased is firefighter Ho Wai-ho, found collapsed at the scene after losing contact during the rescue effort.
Hong Kong’s building department has temporarily suspended projects amid calls for greater scrutiny on safety measures, particularly regarding the use of scaffolding and fire detection systems.
The tragedy, described as Hong Kong's deadliest fire in over 70 years, has initiated a three-day mourning period, observed with moments of silence and flags flown at half-mast.
As the community mourns, more than 4,600 residents of Wang Fuk Court, many of whom are elderly, face uncertainty about their future.
