A devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong has resulted in a death toll of at least 159, with authorities continuing their investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The fire, which broke out a week ago, engulfed seven of the eight high-rise residential towers, taking over 40 hours to extinguish. Approximately 30 individuals remain unaccounted for.
Following the blaze, police completed their search of bodies within the affected buildings. Joe Chow, Commissioner of Police, confirmed that suspected human remains have been found in various apartments. Authorities plan to conduct DNA testing to identify these remains, while also sifting through debris in search of additional victims. “We have not finished our work yet,” Chow stated during a press briefing.
Ongoing Investigation and Arrests
The investigation has led to the arrest of 15 individuals, including directors from construction companies involved in the renovation work at Wang Fuk Court. The city’s anti-corruption body is probing allegations of negligence linked to the ongoing renovation, which was characterized by inadequate safety measures. In addition, police have arrested six employees from a fire service installation contractor. These individuals are suspected of deactivating fire alarms during renovations and providing false statements to the fire services department.
Residents have reported that some fire alarms within the complex failed to activate when the fire erupted. It remains unclear how widespread this issue was across the entire residential development. Investigators have also highlighted the use of substandard materials, such as plastic nylon netting covering scaffolding and foam boards installed on windows, which are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames.
Government Response and Safety Measures
In the aftermath of the incident, Hong Kong officials ordered the removal of external scaffolding nets from numerous buildings undergoing renovation or maintenance. Chris Tang, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, indicated that the materials used will be subjected to rigorous testing before reinstallation. This decision follows initial findings suggesting that fire safety inspection reports for scaffolding nets may have been falsified at two housing complexes.
Police are currently investigating the companies believed to have provided these test reports, including the Binzhou Inspection and Testing Center in China. The probe aims to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the disaster. Among the victims are ten migrant domestic helpers, including nine from Indonesia and one from the Philippines, as well as a firefighter. Nineteen of the deceased remain unidentified, underscoring the human toll of this catastrophic event.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the loss and seeks answers about the circumstances that led to this tragedy.
