What we know so far:
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128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead
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79 injured, including 12 firefighters
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Status of 150 people unclear
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The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh
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Authorities say highly flammable styrofoam material used in renovation works caused fire to spread rapidly
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Government has launched criminal investigations to find cause of blaze
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Three-day citywide mourning, national and Hong Kong flags at half-mast
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Seven Indonesian helpers confirmed dead, another 79 missing
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Beijing has praised Hong Kong’s rescue and relief efforts and pledged support
Tears and sorrow flowed as Hong Kong continued to mourn the victims of the city’s deadliest blaze in decades on Sunday, with workers and residents queuing at the scene, as well as in Central and at halls to pay their respects, writing tributes, offering prayers and laying flowers.
For the first time since the fire broke out on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the death toll remained at 128 on Saturday. No further human remains were recovered, while about 150 people remained “unreachable”, according to police.
National and Hong Kong flags at all government buildings and facilities, including offices abroad, will also fly at half-mast until Monday.
Recovery work continues on the fifth day after the inferno started. The fire was first reported at 2.51pm on Wednesday and quickly escalated to the highest No 5 fire alarm blaze. Huge plumes of dark smoke billowed high into the sky as the flames rapidly spread to seven of the eight blocks in the estate.
Hotlines for help:
Casualty inquiry hotline of police: 1878 999
Health Bureau’s Mental Health Support Hotline: 18111
Tai Po District Office help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital for assistance and public inquiries: 2658 4040.
More from our coverage:
Reporting by Jiang Chuqin, Leopold Chen and Denise Tsang
