Eight more arrested over deadly Hong Kong blaze as toll rises to 128 with hundreds still missing

The number of people killed in the devastating Hong Kong apartment complex fire has risen to 128, with as many as 200 still missing.

Officials say eight more people have been arrested over the blaze.

The inferno rapidly spread through a public housing estate in the Tai Po district on Wednesday, trapping residents inside.

With authorities warning that the death toll may continue to rise, attention has now turned to what caused Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades.

According to Director of Fire Services Andy Yeung, fire alarms in all eight buildings of the complex were “not functional”, a finding discovered during inspections carried out after the blaze.

It is still unclear whether the alarm system was operational on the day of the fire, although residents earlier told CNN that the building alarm did not ring.

Hong Kong’s anti-corruption agency confirmed that those arrested on Friday include two directors of a consultancy firm advising on maintenance, two project managers, three scaffolding subcontractors, and an intermediary.

Earlier this week, officials had also arrested three construction workers on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence.

Police say all three were granted bail on Friday.

The blaze has shocked the densely populated city, which is known for strong public safety regulations and strict construction standards.

Many displaced residents and survivors spent a third night in temporary shelters on Friday, questioning how such a tragedy could occur.

Others waited anxiously for confirmation on whether their missing family members are among the dead.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Yeung says it will take three to four weeks to determine why the blaze spread so rapidly from one building to another, turning a single-tower incident into multiple large-scale fires.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak, announced that families of the deceased will receive HK$200,000 (US$25,700) in assistance. Households affected by the fire will also receive HK$50,000 (US$6,400) as a living allowance this coming week.

Wang Fuk Court was undergoing renovations at the time of the fire, with all eight buildings wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green protective mesh. Police previously found the construction company’s name on flammable polystyrene boards discovered blocking some windows during rescue operations.

Source: CNN