Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Reaches 128; Investigations Underway

Authorities in Hong Kong confirmed that the death toll from a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex has risen to 128 as of March 15, 2024. The blaze, which began on the afternoon of March 13, engulfed seven of the complex’s eight towers and left a significant number of residents missing.

During a press briefing, Chris Tang, Secretary for Security, stated that search operations for potential victims would continue and that the number of casualties could still increase. Firefighters are meticulously scouring the high-rise complex, focusing on apartments from which emergency calls were received but not attended to due to the intensity of the flames.

Fire Incident Overview

The fire broke out in one of the towers at Wang Fuk Court around midday on March 13. It spread rapidly, igniting bamboo scaffolding covered in netting, which was in place for renovations. Over 1,000 firefighters worked tirelessly for approximately 24 hours to bring the fire under control, but it was not fully extinguished until the morning of March 15. Smoke continued to escape from the buildings as crews faced flare-ups in the aftermath.

Firefighters have prioritized searching apartments that received more than 25 emergency calls during the fire, particularly from higher floors where the blaze was most destructive. As the final stages of the operation conclude, officials expect to declare the end of the rescue phase later today.

The complex consists of nearly 2,000 apartments that housed around 4,800 residents. As of Thursday, authorities reported that they had been unable to make contact with 279 residents. In light of this, Tang emphasized the need for a thorough search of all affected units to ensure there were no further casualties.

Investigation and Arrests

In response to the tragedy, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has launched an investigation into potential misconduct linked to the ongoing renovation project at the complex. Three individuals, including the directors and an engineering consultant of Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, with police citing gross negligence as a factor. Officials have seized documents from the company as part of the inquiry.

Concerns have been raised regarding the building materials used, with authorities suspecting that some materials may not have met fire resistance standards. Reports indicate that fire alarm systems in several buildings might have been malfunctioning at the time of the fire. Additionally, investigators discovered highly flammable plastic foam panels installed near elevator lobbies in one unaffected tower, raising questions about safety protocols.

The tragedy marks one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s history, surpassing a 1996 incident in Kowloon that claimed 41 lives. As investigations continue, officials have announced plans for immediate inspections of other housing estates undergoing renovations to ensure compliance with safety standards.

As the community mourns, the full extent of the disaster remains to be determined, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones. The focus now lies on accountability and ensuring such a tragedy does not occur again in the future.