83 dead and 250 missing in the worst fire in Hong Kong in decades

The death toll from the worst fire in Hong Kong in decades has risen to 83 people, while rescue teams continue their efforts to put out the fire and search for about 250 missing people inside the residential complex, most of whose buildings were destroyed by fire.

A Hong Kong government spokesman told AFP that rescue personnel treated 76 injured people, including 11 from the fire brigade.

Investigations have begun to determine the causes of this disaster, which is the worst in the Chinese city in about 80 years according to the authorities, including the possible role of bamboo scaffolding.

The day after the fire broke out, the strong flames that consumed four of the eight residential buildings were extinguished, emergency services announced Thursday afternoon, and fires were brought under control in three other buildings, while one building in the complex remained untouched by the flames.

“It is necessary to accelerate the process of fully transitioning to metal scaffolding,” Hong Kong Police Deputy Chief Eric Chan said at a press conference.

Police are investigating how the massive fire spread between residential skyscrapers in this area, which is considered one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Among the 83 dead was a 37-year-old firefighter.

“Given the significant impact the fire has had on public opinion, a task force has been formed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into possible corruption in the major renovation project of the Wang Fook Residential Complex in Tai Po,” the Hong Kong Independent Anti-Corruption Commission said in a statement.

Hundreds of people showed solidarity with the victims of the accident that affected a complex that includes eight buildings of 31 floors undergoing renovation work, according to what journalists at Agence France-Presse reported.

The police announced the arrest of three people after flammable materials were found during maintenance work, which led to the fire spreading quickly. According to police, they are suspected of “gross negligence.”