Overview
- Police said the confirmed death toll stands at 159 after searches of all affected towers, with suspected human remains under forensic testing that could change the figure.
- Development chief Bernadette Linn directed all buildings undergoing major maintenance to strip scaffolding mesh by Saturday, with local reports indicating roughly 200 sites affected.
- Investigators cite non‑compliant netting and flammable foam used during renovations for the fire’s rapid spread, with evidence contractors mixed inferior and compliant materials after typhoon damage.
- Arrests have risen to 21, including 15 suspects under manslaughter investigation and six detained over malfunctioning fire alarms, alongside an active anti‑corruption probe by the ICAC.
- Authorities allowed brief returns for residents of the sole unaffected block to retrieve belongings, while security units cautioned against activities deemed to exploit the disaster and detained several petition organizers.