Death toll in Hong Kong apartment complex fire hits 146 | News

Another 100 people are missing after a fire broke out in seven high-rise buildings and burned for two days.

Authorities in Hong Kong said 18 more human remains have been found after a massive fire at an eight-apartment Wang Fuk Court estate, bringing the death toll to 146.

Police and fire officials held a news conference on Sunday to give an update on Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in more than 75 years, which burned seven residential buildings in the complex over two days before being completely extinguished by Friday.

Shuk-yin Tsang, head of the Hong Kong police casualty unit, told reporters at the scene that another 100 people were missing and 79 were injured. Police had previously reported 128 deaths, with families assisting in the difficult identification process.

Cheng Ka-chun, officer in charge of the police victim identification unit, said the unit has so far searched four buildings, finding bodies in both apartment units and rooftops.

He said the unit “cannot rule out the possibility of further deaths”, while the full search process for all burnt buildings was expected to take three to four weeks.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the site of the fire on Sunday to pay tribute to the victims, some bringing flowers and handwritten notes while others prayed.

Joy Yeung, 28, whose grandmother’s apartment was destroyed in the fire, said she came with her family with a feeling of both grief for the victims and anger at those responsible.

“I can’t accept this. So today I have come with my father and family to lay flowers,” Yung told news agency Reuters. “I’m not asking to get anything back, but at least give some justice to the families of the dead – to those who are still alive.”

Hong Kong has seen public anger and dismay over the tragedy, as the complex had received repeated warnings from residents about the risks as well as evidence of unsafe construction practices.

The buildings had been undergoing renovation since last year, and during the process the bamboo scaffolding and flammable foam boards used to protect the windows quickly caught fire and spread.

Police on Saturday arrested Miles Kwan, 24, who was part of a group that started a petition demanding an independent investigation into possible corruption and a review of construction inspections, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The online petition promoted by the group received more than 10,000 signatures by Saturday afternoon before being closed.

Hong Kong authorities announced late Saturday that they had ordered the immediate suspension of work on 28 construction projects undertaken by the complex’s contractor, Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., pending safety audits.

According to local officials, three company executives are among at least 11 people arrested in connection with the fire.

Many of the 4,600 people living in the eight high-rise buildings are now housed in short-term emergency shelters or city hotels, and officials are working on long-term solutions.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Jeffrey Chan, a civil servant who came to pay his respects Sunday, told the Associated Press news agency.

“As a Hong Konger, to see people where we live losing their families, losing everything overnight – if you put yourself in their shoes, it is unbearable. They need encouragement, support and help from the people of Hong Kong,” he said.