Death Toll Hits 128 as Arrests Made in Corruption Probe

The death toll from the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise apartment complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district has tragically risen to 128, with approximately 200 people still missing. This fire, which rapidly engulfed seven of the complex's eight 32-storey blocks on Wednesday, is the city's deadliest since 1948.

Authorities have concluded rescue operations, but Security Chief Chris Tang warned the death toll may still rise as police conduct detailed investigations inside the severely damaged buildings. At least 79 people were injured, including 12 firefighters.

The disaster has sparked a major anti-graft investigation. Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has arrested eight people in connection with the renovation project at the complex, which was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh. The arrested individuals include an engineering consultant, a scaffolding subcontractor, and an intermediary. These arrests follow the Thursday arrest of three people two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction (the maintenance firm) on suspicion of manslaughter for allegedly using unsafe materials like flammable foam boards that blocked windows.

Adding to the outrage, the city's Labour Department confirmed that Wang Fuk Court residents had repeatedly complained about fire hazards posed by the renovations, specifically raising concerns in September 2024 about the flammability of the protective mesh. Authorities had reportedly told residents they faced "relatively low fire risks." Security Chief Tang also noted that fire alarms in the complex were not functioning properly.

The human cost is immense, with families facing the grim task of identifying loved ones from rescue worker photographs, as only 39 of the 128 dead have been identified. Among the missing are at least 19 Filipino domestic workers, and two Indonesian domestic helpers were confirmed among the dead. In response, the government, led by John Lee, is establishing a HK$300 million ($39 million) fund to aid residents. Hundreds of volunteers have mobilized, setting up a support camp to provide displaced residents with essential supplies. Calls for an independent inquiry into regulatory negligence and government accountability are also growing.