Hong Kong authorities have begun investigating the circumstances of a residential tower fire
Hong Kong authorities announced Thursday that they have launched a corruption investigation into the renovation work of a residential tower where a fire broke out the day before. The fire claimed the lives of at least 55 people.
The Hong Kong Independent Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement, “Given the massive public outcry, a working group has been formed to launch a comprehensive investigation into possible corruption related to the major renovation project at the Wang Fook Court residential complex in Tai Po.” As reported by Radio "LAC" Swiss.
Firefighters said that 55 people died in the fire, while four others were taken to hospital, and a previous report had indicated that at least 44 people were killed in the complex, which consists of eight 31-story buildings under renovation.
Dozens, and perhaps hundreds, were still missing on Thursday morning. The previous census estimated the number of missing people at 279.
The bamboo scaffolding used in maintenance work contributed to accelerating the spread of the fire, and this is the deadliest fire that Hong Kong has witnessed in decades.
The cause of the fire is not yet known. Police announced the arrest of three men suspected of involvement in the fire, after discovering that flammable materials had been left behind during maintenance work, which led to the fire spreading rapidly.
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