Hong Kong Tower Inferno Claims 128 Lives 8 arrested Anger Erupts

Hong Kong Tower Inferno Claims 128 Lives 8 arrested As Anger Erupts

At least 128 people are now confirmed dead and around 200 remain missing after a catastrophic fire tore through the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong — the city’s deadliest blaze in seven decades. Smoke was still drifting from the ruins more than 48 hours later as firefighters continued pulling bodies from charred apartments.

Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang said 89 victims remain unidentified, with 79 injured, but refused to release age or gender details, insisting officials were “more than happy” to share information when appropriate. That only intensified public fury, with residents demanding answers over what they say was regulatory negligence.

Multiple residents had reportedly warned the Labour Department for years about the highly flammable green mesh covering the bamboo scaffolding around the towers — complaints that were dismissed as low-risk, Reuters reported.

A woman named Cindy, who grew up in Wang Fuk Court, said seeing her childhood home reduced to a blackened shell left her “very sad” and “helpless,” adding: “I really hope there are survivors. I’m wishing for a miracle.”

Preliminary findings point to the fire starting in netting around the lower floors of Wang Cheong House, before racing upward as flammable Styrofoam window panels ignited. The extreme heat then set off the bamboo scaffold, which collapsed and caused secondary fires across six neighbouring towers.

Although the mesh met flame-retardant standards, Tang admitted it could still burn under severe heat — exactly what residents had long feared.

A corruption probe is now underway. Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption has arrested eight people, including consultants and scaffolding subcontractors. Police have also raided Prestige Construction and arrested two directors and an engineering consultant on suspicion of manslaughter.

Compounding the tragedy, fire alarms in all eight buildings failed, according to Fire Services. One firefighter, 37-year-old Ho Wai-ho, died from burns, while 12 others were injured and one is in critical condition.

The exact cause may take weeks to confirm, but the public already wants accountability — and answers.

Key Takeaways

• Death toll hits 128 with about 200 still missing in Hong Kong’s worst fire in 70 years.

• Residents previously warned officials about flammable scaffolding mesh.

• ICAC arrests eight as investigators probe possible corruption and manslaughter.

SOURCE NBC NEWS