Hong Kong has begun a three-day mourning period for the 128 victims of a devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. The blaze, the deadliest in seven decades, also left 79 injured and 200 missing. Authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the incident.
The fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po was first reported at 2:51 pm on Wednesday and quickly escalated to the highest No 5 fire alarm. Flames rapidly spread to seven of the eight residential blocks, billowing huge plumes of dark smoke into the sky. The estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh, with authorities attributing the rapid spread to highly flammable styrofoam material used in the works.
As of Friday, the death toll stands at 128, including one firefighter, with 79 injured, among them 12 firefighters. The status of around 200 people remains unclear, and recovery work continues on the fourth day after the flames were brought under control. Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung announced the latest figure on Friday afternoon, warning that more bodies may still be found.
The government has launched criminal investigations into the cause of the blaze. So far, 11 people have been arrested: eight by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and three by police on manslaughter charges, linked to faulty renovation work. Seven Indonesian domestic helpers are confirmed dead, and 19 Filipino helpers remain missing, with special arrangements underway.
The three-day citywide mourning period began on Saturday and runs until Monday, with national and Hong Kong flags flying at half-mast at all government buildings and facilities, including those abroad. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu led officials in a three-minute silence at government headquarters in the morning. Condolence books are set up across the city's 18 districts from 9am to 9pm until Monday for the public to leave messages. All non-essential public engagements by officials are cancelled, and government-endorsed celebratory events are delayed or postponed. Donations and volunteers have poured in to assist.
