Hong Kong on Saturday began a three-day official mourning period for the victims of the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, as the death toll rose to 128 and investigations expanded.
Authorities announced the arrest of eight additional individuals, bringing the total number of suspects higher in what is now one of the city’s worst building fires in decades. According to ANI, citing the Global Times, those arrested include engineering consultants, scaffolding subcontractors, and a middleman involved in renovation work at the complex. They are under probe for suspected corruption tied to repair and maintenance contracts.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday afternoon on scaffolding surrounding one of the towers undergoing large-scale renovations. Fueled by protective netting and construction materials, the fire rapidly spread to six neighbouring blocks. Nearly 1,000 firefighters and rescue personnel battled the blaze for over 40 hours.
Officials reported at least 79 people injured, including 12 firefighters, while around 200 residents remain unaccounted for. Nearly 900 evacuees have been relocated to temporary shelters as search and rescue operations continue.
Early government assessments have pointed to serious safety lapses. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung confirmed that alarm systems in all eight buildings failed, giving residents no warning as the flames advanced. Investigators also discovered highly flammable polystyrene boards, foam packaging, bamboo scaffolding, and non-compliant netting around the buildings—materials that significantly accelerated the fire’s spread, AFP reported.
Security Secretary Chris Tang warned that more remains may be discovered as investigators enter the most damaged areas. Identification of victims is still underway.
Earlier, three men associated with the renovation contract were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. In response to the disaster, the Hong Kong government has ordered urgent city-wide inspections of scaffolding and construction materials used in renovation projects.
As the mourning period began, Chief Executive John Lee led senior officials in a three-minute silence while flags flew at half-mast across Hong Kong. Residents gathered at condolence points near the charred towers, laying flowers and searching for missing family members.
Mr. Fung, who has been trying to locate his elderly mother-in-law, said: “She is on antibiotics, so she is always sleeping. There was no fire alarm… she might not have known there was a fire.”
The incident is now Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948, prompting urgent scrutiny of safety compliance in ageing public housing blocks. Officials say the full investigation may take up to four weeks.
