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Hong Kong Blaze Claims 128 Lives, Sparks Calls for Accountability
HONG KONG – A devastating inferno that ripped through a high-rise housing estate in Hong Kong has tragically claimed the lives of at least 128 people, authorities confirmed Friday. The catastrophic event has also left approximately 200 individuals missing, while eight arrests have been made in connection with the blaze.
Firefighters, tirelessly sifting through each apartment in the Wang Fuk Court tower complex, discovered dozens more bodies, officials announced at a Friday news conference. Smoke from the blaze continued to linger in the air more than 48 hours after it first ignited.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, informed reporters that 89 bodies remain unidentified. Seventy-nine people sustained injuries in the incident.
Tang refrained from disclosing the genders and ages of the deceased, citing the ongoing investigation and incomplete data. He emphasized, however, that the government was “more than happy” to release relevant details at an appropriate time, asserting “nothing the government is not willing to release.”
This marks the deadliest blaze in the Chinese territory in seven decades, intensifying public demands for greater accountability and transparency from the local government regarding potential regulatory negligence.
Residents of Wang Fuk Court have reportedly lodged repeated complaints with the city’s Labor Department concerning the flammability of the green mesh used to cover the bamboo scaffolding around the buildings. According to Reuters, residents were consistently assured that the fire risk was “relatively low.”
Cindy, a former resident who declined to provide her full name, shared her profound sadness and helplessness with NBC News on Thursday upon witnessing Wang Fuk Court completely engulfed in flames. The 48-year-old confirmed her family’s escape and expressed hope for survivors, stating, “I’m wishing for a miracle to happen.”
Tang indicated that preliminary findings suggest the fire originated in the netting surrounding the lower floors of Wang Cheong House, one of the seven affected towers within the Wang Fuk Court complex. Highly flammable Styrofoam on the windows then fueled the rapid spread of the blaze, extending to six additional buildings.
The intense flames shattered glass and penetrated interiors, burning both inside and outside the structures simultaneously. The heat subsequently ignited the bamboo scaffolding, which in turn sparked secondary fires as it collapsed.
“Although the mesh netting met certain flame-retardant requirements, they could still catch fire when exposed to high temperatures,” Tang explained. “Bamboo scaffolding could also catch fire,” he added.
“They are only flame-retardant. And this is our initial assessment of the situation.”
Within hours of the disaster, Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption announced the establishment of a “task force to launch a full investigation into possible corruption.” Eight individuals, including “consultants, scaffolding subcontractors and middleman,” have since been arrested.
This development followed police searches on Thursday at the offices of Prestige Construction and Engineering Co., the registered contractor responsible for the renovations. Officers also arrested two directors and an engineering consultant on suspicion of manslaughter. NBC News’ attempts to contact the company went unanswered.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, a process officials estimate could take three to four weeks to complete. Rescuers faced significant challenges due to extremely high ambient temperatures, often reaching or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius.
Adding to the tragic circumstances, Andy Yeung, Director of Hong Kong’s Fire Services, reported that fire alarms in all eight blocks failed to activate when the blaze erupted.
Yeung’s department previously confirmed on Wednesday the death of Ho Wai-ho, a 37-year-old firefighter who was among the first responders. He collapsed at the scene and later died in the hospital after suffering burns to his face. On Friday, the Hong Kong Fire Services further reported that 12 other firefighters were injured, with one in critical condition after suffering heat stroke.