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HONG KONG — A devastating fire that swept through a large public housing estate in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong has resulted in one of the city's worst peacetime disasters, with the official death toll rising to 128 fatalities and approximately 200 residents still unaccounted for. The tragedy, which occurred at the 32-story high-rise residential complex, Wong Fuk Court, on November 26, has ignited a massive criminal investigation focusing on the alleged use of highly flammable construction materials during recent renovation work.

Scale of the Catastrophe and Rescue Efforts 

Three days after the initial blaze was reported at 2:51 p.m. on November 26, search and rescue operations were officially concluded on the afternoon of November 28. Authorities confirmed 128 deaths, including 108 bodies recovered, 16 bodies still trapped inside the building, and four people who succumbed to their injuries after being transported to the hospital. Only 39 victims have been formally identified so far.

The injured total 79 people, including 12 firefighters who were battling the inferno. The massive operation involved over 2,300 firefighters and paramedics and 309 fire trucks, managing to bring the fire under control after approximately 43 hours. The complex consists of eight towers with around 2,000 units, and the fire spread to seven of the eight blocks, indicating an alarming failure of fire containment systems.

Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang provided an update, noting that the fire department received 467 calls for help (including duplicate reports). While 110 people were confirmed safe, the fate of around 200 residents remains unknown, intensifying the fear of a significantly higher final death toll. The missing persons list tragically includes 19 Filipino and 11 Indonesian domestic workers, as reported by the SCMP.

Flammable Materials and Alleged Negligence 

The focus of the investigation has swiftly turned to the fire's origin and the materials used in the ongoing renovation project at the housing estate. Authorities believe the fire started in the low-rise external netting of one of the buildings undergoing refurbishment.

Secretary Tang stated that while the external netting itself met fire-retardant standards, the fire's rapid and catastrophic spread was attributed to highly flammable styrofoam panels used around the windows and doors of the apartments. Furthermore, reports indicate that the complex's fire alarms may not have functioned properly, a critical factor in the high number of casualties.

The extensive evidence collection process for determining the exact cause is expected to take up to three to four weeks due to the poor on-site conditions.

Criminal and Corruption Investigations Launched 

In response to the catastrophic loss of life, the Hong Kong police and related agencies have launched a rigorous criminal investigation, focusing on negligence and accountability during the renovation.

Arrests for Manslaughter: The police conducted a raid on the apartment complex's property management company and initially arrested three key personnel on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the fire: a contractor from the renovation company and two senior staff members from the engineering consulting firm overseeing the repairs. An additional two people were arrested today, bringing the total number of individuals detained to five.
Anti-Corruption Probe: The city’s anti-corruption watchdog has also initiated an investigation into the massive project, which cost approximately 330 million Hong Kong dollars (around 42 million USD), to determine if any corruption or malpractice contributed to the use of substandard or highly flammable materials. This probe reflects the public's widespread anger and suspicion regarding the safety standards in public works. 

Government Relief and Assistance 

The Hong Kong government has mobilized support for the victims and the approximately 900 displaced residents, who are currently housed in eight temporary shelters, including nearby schools.

Financial Support: The government announced today that it would cover the entire funeral process for the deceased. Each family of the deceased will receive a condolence payment of HK$200,000 (approx. $25,600 USD).
Emergency Aid: This new aid is in addition to the HK$10,000 (approx. $1,280 USD) emergency grant previously offered and a further HK$50,000 (approx. $6,400 USD) living allowance being provided to the affected families.
The Wong Fuk Court tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the vital need for stringent safety compliance, especially in high-density urban housing, and underscores the severe consequences when profit or negligence overrides public safety during large-scale construction and renovation projects. The outcome of the police and anti-corruption investigations is expected to have far-reaching implications for construction and fire safety regulations across the territory.

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