The death toll from a deadly blaze in Hong Kong that ripped through seven high-rise residential blocks has risen to 146 after Hong Kong police concluded their search of four blocks.
Photos by Reuters
At least 79 people were injured in the fire, authorities said. The entire process of searching the burnt buildings is expected to take around three to four weeks, Hong Kong police said.
After Hong Kong's deadliest fire in over 75 years, thousands are angered and saddened, determined to gain justice for the victims, even as Beijing warned it would use a national security law to crack down on any "anti-China" protest in the wake of the fire.
The cause of the blaze, which killed 128 people and left 150 still missing at a high-rise apartment complex, remains under investigation. However, it is known that the building's fire alarms were not working, and that the complex was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh, and layered with foam insulation for renovations.
Mourners have turned out in the thousands in a queue stretching for more than a kilometre along the banks of a canal near the burnt-out Wang Fuk Court housing complex to lay white flowers for those who died. Some attached sticky notes addressed to the victims.
The smell of smoke still hung in the air four full days after the fast-moving blaze fanned across the exterior of seven residential towers under renovation in Hong Kong's northern Tai Po district.
Seven Indonesian domestic workers and one Filipino helper have been confirmed among the dead and dozens of migrant workers remain missing. An outdoor prayer meeting in central Hong Kong for the city's Filipino community was attended by hundreds on Sunday morning.
Police on Saturday detained Miles Kwan, 24, who was part of a group that launched a petition demanding an independent probe into possible corruption and a review of construction oversight, two people familiar with the matter said. Reuters could not establish whether he had been arrested.
The online petition promoted by the group drew over 10,000 signatures by Saturday afternoon before it was closed.
ALSO READ:
- Hong Kong begins mourning period after fire kills at least 128
- China launches nationwide fire safety inspection following Hong Kong's deadly blaze
- Hong Kong fire second deadliest building blaze worldwide in recent years