HONG KONG — Hong Kong grieved the 128 people confirmed dead in a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, with around 150 residents still reported missing, authorities said. The tragedy, which erupted last Wednesday in Tai Po district near the mainland China border, has prompted arrests and sparked concerns over unsafe renovation practices.
Fourteen individuals have been detained in connection with the blaze, including contractors and consultants responsible for the building’s refurbishment. Investigators are examining allegations of corruption and the use of flammable materials in the high-rise renovation. Rescue efforts concluded Friday, though authorities warn more bodies could be discovered in the coming weeks amid the hazardous rubble.
The fire rapidly consumed seven of the complex’s eight 32-storey blocks, which were covered with bamboo scaffolding, green mesh, and foam insulation. Police confirmed that fire alarms had been malfunctioning in the estate, home to over 4,600 people. Search teams recovered three cats and a turtle during operations.
Hong Kong leader John Lee and other officials observed three minutes of silence outside government offices on Saturday, while flags flew at half-staff. Condolence books were opened at 18 locations across the city, and Britain’s King Charles expressed sympathy, describing the event as an “appalling tragedy.”
Many of the victims were domestic workers from Indonesia and the Philippines. Indonesia confirmed seven fatalities, while the Philippines reported one critically injured citizen and another missing. Stories of survival emerged, including 28-year-old Rhodora Alcaraz, who sheltered a 3-month-old baby amid thick smoke before being rescued.
The fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, drawing comparisons to London’s 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster. Residents had previously raised concerns about the fire risks posed by renovations, particularly the flammable scaffolding mesh. Authorities had assured them that risks were “relatively low,” according to the city’s Labour Department.
Public outrage has been expressed through petitions and flyers demanding accountability, an independent investigation, proper resettlement for residents, and stricter oversight of construction standards. Around 10,000 people had signed an online petition by Saturday afternoon.
Authorities, including Hong Kong’s anti-corruption body ICAC, have arrested eight people over unsafe materials and construction practices. Additional arrests include directors and consultants from Prestige Construction, the company responsible for maintenance at Wang Fuk Court. Prestige did not respond to requests for comment.
China’s national security office in Hong Kong issued a statement supporting the city government to “severely punish anyone who used disaster to disrupt Hong Kong,” reflecting heightened scrutiny of both construction firms and regulatory authorities.
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