The death toll from the devastating fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court has risen to 83, with 79 people still injured in hospital. Among the dead are a firefighter and two Indonesian domestic workers. The fire, which broke out in a complex of eight 32-storey towers undergoing renovation, has left many families waiting for news of missing loved ones, with authorities yet to update the number of unaccounted individuals, previously reported as over 250.
Police have arrested three men, aged 52 to 68, on suspicion of manslaughter. The trio, including two directors and an engineering consultant, worked for a construction company that police allege was 'grossly negligent', leading to the fire's uncontrollable spread and major casualties. The company's office was searched, and documents were seized as evidence.
Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan stated that hoses have reached the remaining burning units, and flames are expected to be fully extinguished by 9am local time on Friday. Firefighting operations were hampered by intense heat, falling debris and scaffolding, as well as high temperatures and darkness.
Residents had reportedly complained for months about shoddy work by the construction company. An email from the Labour Department last year indicated that the risk of fire from scaffolding was considered low, as the works did not involve open flames. The department has been contacted for comment.
Hong Kong's leader John Lee announced a HK$300m (£29.2m) fund to help residents and discussed replacing bamboo scaffolding with metal alternatives. However, some Hongkongers are angry that bamboo is being blamed, arguing it deflects responsibility from the actual cause of the fire, which remains unknown. Bamboo scaffolding is seen as an important part of local heritage.
The tragedy has also highlighted social anxiety around affordable housing in Hong Kong, where high property prices force many into tightly packed high-rise apartments that can become death traps in disasters.
