Overview
- Authorities report 128 confirmed dead, about 200 people unaccounted for and 79 injured, with the blaze brought under control roughly 42 hours after it began.
- Officials say flames raced up bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh and ignited polystyrene panels around windows, breaking glass and driving fire into flats across multiple towers.
- Fire Services inspections found building alarm systems did not function properly, and the department says enforcement action will follow.
- Police have detained at least three people linked to the contractor on suspected negligence or manslaughter, while the ICAC arrested eight over alleged corruption tied to the renovation project.
- The government ordered immediate inspections of other large-scale renovation sites and launched parallel criminal and anti‑corruption investigations as identification and relief efforts continue.