National security police arrest man as Hong Kong mourns 128 fire dead
This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 150 people unclear The…
What we know so far:
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128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead
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79 injured, including 12 firefighters
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Status of 150 people unclear
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The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh
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Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam material used in renovation works caused fire to spread rapidly
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Government has launched criminal investigations to find cause of blaze
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11 people arrested so far, eight by anti-corruption unit ICAC, three by police for manslaughter
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Three-day citywide mourning, until Monday, national and Hong Kong flags at half-mast
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Seven Indonesian helpers confirmed dead, another 79 missing, with special arrangements under way
Hong Kong began three days of official mourning on Saturday for victims of the city’s deadliest fire in seven decades.
Officials led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu observed a three-minute silence at the government’s headquarters in the morning, with condolence books being set up across all 18 districts between 9am and 9pm until Monday for members of the public to leave their messages.
National and Hong Kong flags at all government buildings and facilities, including offices abroad, will also fly at half-mast from Saturday to Monday.
As of Friday, the inferno that engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po has claimed 128 lives, with the status of 150 still remaining uncertain.
Recovery work continues on the fourth day as raging flames in all blocks have been brought under control.
The fire was first reported at 2.51pm on Wednesday and quickly escalated to the highest No 5 fire alarm blaze. Huge plumes of dark smoke billowed high into the sky as the flames rapidly spread to seven of the eight blocks in the estate.
Hotlines for help:
Casualty inquiry hotline of police: 1878 999
Health Bureau’s Mental Health Support Hotline: 18111
Tai Po District Office help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for assistance and public inquiries: 2658 4040.
More from our coverage:
Reporting by Harvey Kong, Matthew Cheng, Xinmei Shen, Mike Chan, Wynna Wong, Ralph Jennings, Jess Ma, Jeffie Lam, Edith Lin and Fiona Sun.
