The death toll from Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades has risen to 128, with many more people still unaccounted for, after flames tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po.
Families moved from hospital to hospital on Friday searching for their loved ones. About 200 people remain listed as missing, while 89 recovered bodies have yet to be identified.
The fire started on Wednesday afternoon and spread through seven of the estate’s eight high rise blocks. It burned for more than 40 hours before firefighters said it was largely put out by Friday morning. They completed a search of more than 1,800 flats.
Authorities said the fire may have started in protective netting on the lower floors during ongoing renovation work. Bamboo scaffolding and foam boards also helped the flames spread across the buildings.
Fire services chief Andy Yeung said alarm systems in all eight blocks were not working. He said, “We will take enforcement actions against the contractors responsible.”
Residents said they had to knock on doors to warn neighbours as alarms failed to trigger.
On Friday morning, bodies were carried out in black bags from the burnt buildings. At a mortuary in Sha Tin, more bodies arrived as families gathered to identify them.
A woman named Wong told AFP she was searching for her sister in law and her sister in law’s twin. “We still cannot find them,” she said in tears.
An eyewitness, a 77 year old man called Mui, said the fire spread with shocking speed. “One building went up in flames and it spread to two more blocks in less than 15 minutes,” he said.
The blaze is the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when at least 135 people died in an explosion and fire.
Security chief Chris Tang said the investigation may take three to four weeks. Hong Kong’s anti corruption agency has also opened an inquiry into the renovation work, and police have arrested three men for allegedly leaving foam packaging at the site.
The Labour Department said it had visited the estate 16 times since July 2024 for inspections, including one on November 20, during which contractors were warned to improve fire safety.
Authorities will now inspect all housing estates undergoing major renovation and may move toward metal scaffolding in the future.
The government has announced a 300 million Hong Kong dollar fund to support victims. Nine shelters have been opened and temporary accommodation and emergency aid are being arranged for displaced residents.
Campaign activities for the city’s December 7 legislative elections have been suspended.
Nearby, a strong community effort has taken shape, with stations for food, clothing, supplies and medical support set up in a public square. Donations have been so large that organisers had to ask the public to stop sending more.
