Hong Kong Fire Brought Under Control After 3 Days, Death Toll Climbs To 128; Hundreds Still Missing | Updates

Hong Kong Fire: At least 128 people have died in the massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. After three days of intense blaze, authorities have finally brought the fire under control. Hong Kong fire officials said they hope to complete search and rescue operations after the blaze, described as one of the most severe in recent years, engulfed an eight-building complex with 2,000 apartment units on Wednesday afternoon.

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7 Towers Engulfed In Flames

Seven of the eight 32-story towers at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in were engulfed in flames. The eight-tower complex, home to more than 4,600 people, was sheltered by bamboo scaffolding and green netting when the fire broke out and spread rapidly.

Police said they had arrested three construction company executives on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards to block windows.

Hong Kong's security chief Chris Tang said on Friday that rescue operations at a residential development had been completed, with at least 128 people dead in a fire.(Reuters Image)

Three People Arrested

Police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, which had been maintaining the buildings for more than a year. Police Superintendent Eileen Chung said on Thursday that they believe the responsible parties at the company committed gross negligence, leading to this accident.

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279 People Missing

"We will try to enter all units in all seven buildings to prevent any further casualties," Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan told reporters Friday morning. As of Thursday morning, 279 people were listed as missing, but that figure hasn't been updated for more than 24 hours. He added that 25 calls for help to the fire department remain unanswered.

Worst Fire Since 1948

Most of the victims were found in the complex's two towers, while firefighters found survivors in several buildings. It is Hong Kong's worst fire since 1948, when a warehouse blaze killed 176 people.(Reuters Image)

Hong Kong - Most Densely Populated Cities In World

Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated cities, dotted with high-rise housing complexes. Skyrocketing property prices have long been a source of resentment, and this tragedy could further fuel anger against the authorities.

(With Inputs From Reuters)