The number of confirmed fatalities from the massive fire that swept through a residential estate in Hong Kong earlier this week has risen to 146, according to police on Sunday.
Officers from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit discovered more bodies after extending their search to three additional towers within Wang Fuk Court, the site of what is now considered the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
Chief Superintendent Tsang Shuk-yin of the casualty enquiry unit explained that the latest death toll stands at 146.
“We cannot rule out the possibility of further fatalities,” he said.
The tragedy has drawn more than 1,000 mourners to the Tai Po district, where the devastated housing complex is located.
An interdepartmental task force has been assembled to determine how the fire began. In a parallel development, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency has arrested 11 individuals linked to the incident, with three also detained by police on manslaughter charges.
Foreign missions confirmed casualties among their citizens. The Indonesian consulate reported that at least seven Indonesian nationals died, while the Philippine consulate announced the death of one overseas worker.
In response to the disaster, Hong Kong’s Buildings Department has halted operations on 30 private construction projects citywide pending further review.
Comments