In brief
A catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong has resulted in 146 confirmed deaths and many people still missing. The tragedy has sparked anger over potential negligence tied to construction materials and fire safety protocols. Amid a period of mourning, thousands are paying tribute to the victims.
At least 146 people are now known to have died in the devastating fire that tore through high-rise buildings in Hong Kong on Wednesday.
Police announced the new death toll on Sunday, cautioning that they cannot rule out the possibility of further fatalities. There are still 150 people missing, and the blaze left 79 injured.
Seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the northerly Tai Po district rapidly went up in flames. Accusations that the fire was spread by flammable construction materials have sparked widespread anger.
Three days of national mourning started on Saturday, and thousands have gathered at the scene to mourn the victims.
Queues have stretched as long as 2km (1.2 miles) as people wait to lay flowers and handwritten notes. Indonesian worker Romlah Rosidah expressed surprise at the turnout for the prayer vigils, illustrating the community's solidarity during this tragedy.
A police spokesperson reported that the fire is Hong Kong's deadliest in more than 70 years, and investigative efforts are underway to determine the exact cause. Eight individuals have been arrested on corruption charges related to the renovations that were ongoing in the buildings.
Firefighters battled the flames, which reached temperatures of 500C (932F), over the course of two days before they were fully brought under control. During this period, officials began their search and recovery efforts and have since identified several victims, including members of the international community.
The fire has not only raised questions about safety and regulations but has also highlighted ongoing issues within the housing sector in Hong Kong, particularly concerning the conditions of older buildings.
