200 missing as Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 128

The death toll in Hong Kong’s fire incident rose to 128 people, while over 200 people were still unaccounted for on Friday.

Families of the scores still missing after the worst blaze in decades scoured hospitals on Friday as firefighting operations ended.

Hundreds were still missing, Secretary for Security Chris Tang told a press conference, adding that he sent his condolences to those affected.

Flames had moved quickly through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, spreading through the eight high-rises and transforming the densely packed complex into an inferno.

4 dead as fire razes high-rise buildings in Hong Kong

Announcing the end of its operations, the fire services said after burning for over 40 hours, the blaze was “largely extinguished” by 10:18 a.m. (02:18 GMT) on Friday.

Authorities are investigating what sparked the fire, including examining the bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the complex as part of a major renovation.

At the charred apartment blocks, workers searched for survivors and pulled out bodies in black bags, according to witnesses.

Vehicles unloaded corpses at a mortuary in nearby Sha Tin, another reporter saw, with families expected to arrive in the afternoon for identification.

Around 200 people were still missing and 79 people were injured, including 12 firefighters, city authorities said.

The Star