US EditionA 1-year-old was among 159 killed in Hong Kong apartment fires. 30 others remain missing
Authorities arrested 21 people amid probes into disabled alarms, substandard renovation materials, and possible negligence linked to the fire that killed 159 at Tai Po housing complex.
- On Wednesday, Hong Kong police said the death toll at Wang Fuk Court rose to 159 as six people were arrested on suspicion of deactivating fire alarms during renovations.
- During a monthslong renovation at Wang Fuk Court, bamboo scaffolding and green netting covered the buildings, and authorities said substandard netting and foam boards aided the fire's rapid spread earlier this week.
- Authorities said nineteen unidentified bodies remain and about 30 people were still reported missing after searches of seven of eight high-rise residential towers.
- Police and the city's anti-corruption body said Tuesday that they arrested 15 people as they probe corruption and negligence tied to the renovation work and completed searches of all seven of eight high-rise towers.
- Residents reported that some fire alarms failed to sound when the blaze began last Wednesday, which took until Friday to be extinguished, highlighting safety concerns amid the renovation.
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19 Articles
After inspection of the buildings, 140 bodies were identified on a preliminary basis, including 49 men and 91 women. The investigation into the causes of the disaster is still under way.
Associated Press News
A 1-year-old was among 159 killed in Hong Kong apartment fires. 30 others remain missing
The death toll from a high-rise apartment fire in Hong Kong has risen to 159. Authorities arrested six people on suspicion of deactivating fire alarms during maintenance work.
A total of 140 bodies have been identified, 91 women and 49 men - The youngest victim was just one year old and the oldest was 97 years old.
This is a "temporary check-up" at the end of the search in the buildings, which can be revised, stressed the police, as the officers found "suspicious human bones" to be subjected to forensic analysis.
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