Nationwide plan to cut fire risk in high-rises, as Hong Kong mourns 128 dead

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What we know so far:

128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead

79 injured, including 12 firefighters

Status of 200 people unclear

The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh

Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam material used in renovation works caused fire to spread rapidly

Government has launched criminal investigations to find cause of blaze

11 people arrested so far, 8 by anti-corruption unit ICAC, 3 by police for manslaughter

Three-day citywide mourning, until Monday, national and Hong Kong flags at half-mast

Seven Indonesian helpers confirmed dead, 19 Filipinos remain missing, with special arrangements under way

Hong Kong began three days of official mourning on Saturday for victims of the city’s deadliest fire in seven decades.

Officials led by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu observed a three-minute silence at the government’s headquarters in the morning, with condolence books being set up across all 18 districts between 9am and 9pm until Monday for members of the public to leave their messages.

National and Hong Kong flags at all government buildings and facilities, including offices abroad, will also fly at half-mast from Saturday to Monday.

As of Friday, the inferno which engulfed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po has claimed 128 lives, with the status of 200 still remaining uncertain.

Recovery work continues on the fourth day as raging flames in all blocks have been brought under control.

The fire was first reported at 2.51 pm on Wednesday and quickly escalated to the highest No 5 fire alarm blaze. Huge plumes of dark smoke billowed high into the sky as the flames rapidly spread to seven of the eight blocks in the estate.

Hotlines for help:

Casualty inquiry hotline of police: 1878 999

Health Bureau’s Mental Health Support Hotline: 18111

Tai Po District Office help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for assistance and public inquiries: 2658 4040.

Follow the latest live updates below and read about earlier events here.

More from our coverage:

Reporting by Harvey Kong, Matthew Cheng, Xinmei Shen, Mike Chan, Wynna Wong, Ralph Jennings, Jess Ma and Jeffie Lam