Horror in Hong Kong: Deadly fire disaster leaves 94 dead and a city in shock
The death toll in the Hong Kong high-rise housing complex blaze, one of the deadliest recorded in the region in recent times, has touched 94, media reports said.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu has ordered an inspection of all public housing estates undergoing major renovations following the deadly fire tragedy in Tai Po estate.
According to reports, the raging flames in all blocks have been brought under control.
At present, 56 people are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
According to a preliminary investigation, officers discovered highly flammable styrofoam cloaking lift windows on every floor, which authorities said caused the fire to spread more rapidly within the blocks and ignite flats through the corridors, reported South China Morning Post.
The mesh netting and sheeting used outside the buildings also did not meet fire safety standards, officials told the newspaper.
The fire — the city’s deadliest in decades — erupted on Wednesday afternoon across an eight-tower residential estate containing around 2,000 flats.
Three arrested
Police announced early on Thursday that three men had been arrested in connection with the disaster.
Investigators believe flammable materials left behind during maintenance work allowed the fire to “spread rapidly beyond control”.
Officers later searched a separate location, seizing binders of documents linked to the suspects, whom they accuse of “gross negligence” for leaving foam packaging at the site.
Firefighter loses life
Among those killed was a 37-year-old firefighter, found with severe burns roughly 30 minutes after losing radio contact, according to Fire Services Director Andy Yeung.
A government spokesperson said 56 people were being treated in hospitals: 16 in critical condition, 24 in serious condition, and 16 in stable condition.
Chief Executive John Lee said that 279 residents were initially listed as missing, though firefighters later managed to reach some of them.
More than 900 people sought shelter at temporary facilities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the victims, including the fallen firefighter, state media reported.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
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