At least 128 people have died in a devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong. A further 79 people have been injured in the city's deadliest blaze in more than 70 years, which occurred in the northerly suburb of Tai Po, while dozens remain missing.
The tower blocks had been undergoing renovations when the fire began. The cause of the blaze remains unclear but officials said on Friday that Styrofoam placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its rapid spread.
Three people overseeing the renovations are under arrest for manslaughter, and authorities have launched a corruption inquiry. Bringing the fire under control involved more than 2,311 firefighters. The fire was extinguished by 10:18 local time on Friday, but 89 bodies have yet to be identified and 16 bodies remain inside the buildings.
The fire, which started at 14:51 local time on Wednesday, quickly escalated, with reports indicating that fire alarms were not functioning properly in the building, and some alarms had been turned off by construction workers.
Several residents have raised concerns over the renovation materials and high fees, leading to outrage and demands for accountability. Hong Kong's history of fire safety issues, compounded by recent events, has sparked widespread discussion on building safety standards.
The tower blocks had been undergoing renovations when the fire began. The cause of the blaze remains unclear but officials said on Friday that Styrofoam placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its rapid spread.
Three people overseeing the renovations are under arrest for manslaughter, and authorities have launched a corruption inquiry. Bringing the fire under control involved more than 2,311 firefighters. The fire was extinguished by 10:18 local time on Friday, but 89 bodies have yet to be identified and 16 bodies remain inside the buildings.
The fire, which started at 14:51 local time on Wednesday, quickly escalated, with reports indicating that fire alarms were not functioning properly in the building, and some alarms had been turned off by construction workers.
Several residents have raised concerns over the renovation materials and high fees, leading to outrage and demands for accountability. Hong Kong's history of fire safety issues, compounded by recent events, has sparked widespread discussion on building safety standards.
