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Hong Kong Tower Fire Toll Rises to 128 as Police, Anticorruption Probes Intensify

Investigators now focus on flammable renovation materials, with alarm failures under review.

Overview

  • Fire was declared extinguished after roughly 42 hours as search and forensic work continue across the eight‑tower Wang Fuk Court complex.
  • Officials report 128 dead and 79 injured, with about 200 residents still unaccounted for and many victims yet to be identified.
  • Preliminary findings point to polystyrene panels, plastic sheeting and bamboo scaffolding with mesh that accelerated exterior‑to‑interior fire spread.
  • Fire Services say building alarm systems did not function correctly in post‑incident checks, with enforcement action expected.
  • Police have arrested company directors and a consultant on negligence‑related suspicions, the ICAC detained eight over renovation contracts, and authorities ordered immediate safety inspections of similar projects.