Hong Kong firefighters have discovered many more bodies during a detailed search of a high-rise housing complex that suffered a devastating fire.
The total death toll now stands at least 128, making it one of the worst fires in the city’s history.
Firefighters prioritized apartments that had received multiple emergency calls during the blaze, as they could not reach them at the time.
The search for victims is ongoing, with 89 bodies yet to be identified and about 200 people still unaccounted for.
An investigation into the fire may take three to four weeks.
How The It All Happened
It is confirmed that the fire started in the early afternoon on Wednesday in one of the towers of the Wang Fuk Court complex, and quickly spread to others due to bamboo scaffolding used for renovations.
Firefighters battled the blaze for approximately 24 hours, and smoke continued to escape from the remains of the buildings a day later.
The fire was officially declared out by Friday morning.
In total, around 2,300 firefighters and medical responders participated in the operation, with 79 individuals injured.
One firefighter lost his life.
About The Complex
The complex, which was built in the 1980s, contained nearly 2,000 apartments and housed about 4,800 residents, many of whom were elderly.
The local anti-corruption agency is investigating potential corruption linked to the renovations, with three men linked to the construction company arrested on manslaughter charges.
Authorities are also examining the materials used in the building’s exterior as they suspect these did not meet fire safety standards, contributing to the rapid spread of the flames.
