Hong Kong Fire Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 146

The death toll in the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, has risen to 146, with authorities warning that the number might increase as the search for victims continues.

Investigators from the Hong Kong police's Disaster Victim Identification Unit have been meticulously combing through the remains of the eight buildings, which were engulfed in flames starting Wednesday afternoon and fully extinguished by Friday.

Cheng Ka-chun, the officer in charge, reported that the recovery operation is slow due to darkness and structural challenges within the buildings. As of now, another 100 individuals remain unaccounted for, and 79 have sustained injuries, according to Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the casualty unit.

The fire has been classified as one of the worst in the city’s history, with mourners gathering at makeshift memorials to pay their respects. Many locals, including civil servant Jeffery Chan, expressed heartbreak over the loss of families and homes in just one night, emphasizing the need for support for the victims.

This tragedy has sparked widespread calls for improved safety regulations in urban housing, particularly in high-rise buildings. The fire reportedly started on a lower-level scaffolding net and spread rapidly, aided by flammable foam panels blocking windows.

Fire officials later discovered that some fire alarms failed to activate during the incident, raising serious concerns about safety protocols. In response, the Hong Kong government has suspended construction work on 28 projects linked to the contractor Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, which is under investigation for potential gross negligence.

Three men associated with this company were arrested for manslaughter charges but were later released on bail, only to be rearrested by anti-corruption authorities. The tragedy is compounded by the inclusion of seven Indonesian migrant workers among the dead, with several others still unaccounted for, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

The Philippines Consulate General reported that a Filipina domestic helper was among the deceased, with 12 others missing. In the wake of the incident, the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management announced a nationwide inspection of high-rise buildings to identify fire hazards, focusing on the use of non-flame-retardant materials and deficiencies in firefighting systems.

Citizens have begun to donate supplies to those displaced by the fire, while the government declared a three-day mourning period, during which flags will be flown at half-mast and a moment of silence will be observed.

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for reform in urban safety standards, particularly in densely populated areas like Hong Kong, where high-rise living is common. The Wang Fuk Court fire, now the deadliest since the 1948 warehouse blaze that killed 176 people, has ignited a renewed discussion about the safety of urban construction practices and emergency preparedness in the face of disaster.