Hong Kong Tower Fire Toll Reaches 128 as Police Detain Renovation Executives

Overview

• Authorities say the blaze is largely under control but focused searches and victim identification continue, with about 200 people still unaccounted for and 89 of the 128 dead not yet identified.
• Police arrested two directors and a consultant linked to the project on suspicion of gross negligence causing death, and investigators searched company offices as criminal and regulatory probes advance.
• Early findings highlight bamboo scaffolding, plastic protective netting and expanded polystyrene insulation as key factors that propelled the fire across exterior facades and into multiple towers.
• The government ordered immediate inspections of major renovation sites, activated emergency assistance for displaced residents and moved to accelerate a transition from bamboo to metal scaffolding.
• The incident was raised to the top fire alarm level, mobilizing more than 760 firefighters, 400 police officers, 128 fire vehicles and 57 ambulances, while shelters continue to host hundreds of evacuees.