The death toll from the devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to 94. Almost 80 other people were injured, including some firefighters, Hong Kong media reported, citing the fire department. Extinguishing work continued on site early on Friday morning (local time) as individual apartments were still burning.
The fire department expected to be able to complete the search and rescue operation in the Tai Po district by mid-morning (local time). By then she wants to have gained access to all apartments on the seven blocks.
The fire in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex initially broke out in one building on Wednesday and subsequently spread to other blocks, each with more than 30 floors. The fire disaster is the most devastating in decades in the Chinese special administrative region.
Due to an ongoing renovation of the complex from the 1980s, there was bamboo scaffolding on the apartment blocks. In addition, according to the authorities, materials were used during the work that may not have met fire safety regulations.
Three men from a construction company were arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide. Hong Kong’s government announced that it would switch from bamboo scaffolding to steel scaffolding as soon as possible after criticism of fire safety. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
