A fire in a residential complex in the Tai Po district, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, killed 44 people, and another 279 are still missing.
As reported by the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post (SCMP), the number of victims and injuries as a result of a fire in a high-rise building continues to grow.
The fire that broke out yesterday afternoon in the residential complex, which includes more than 1,900 apartments, has spread rapidly on external bamboo scaffolding installed for repair work.
According to the local fire service, one firefighter was among the 44 dead. The condition of 45 people taken to hospitals remains critical.
The complex is home to about 4 thousand people. Three of the seven buildings of the complex that were engulfed in flames were brought under control.
26 fire and rescue teams are on the scene.
Three suspects detained
The police detained three suspects, including two managers of the construction company responsible for the repairs, and also a consulting engineer. They are accused of causing death by negligence.
Bamboo scaffolding and plastic foam covering the windows are believed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
Chief Police Inspector Aileen Chun Lai-yi said that “there is reason to believe that the company’s responsible persons acted with gross negligence, which led to the rapid spread of the fire and a large number of casualties.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Security Chris Tan said initial checks showed the flames were spreading abnormally fast. According to him, plastic insulation materials played a significant role in this.
Fire alert level five assigned
Hong Kong has a five-level system for assessing the intensity of fires, and for the first time in 17 years, a fifth, maximum alert level was announced.
Authorities also announced the evacuation of two more nearby residential complexes. About 900 victims of the fire found temporary shelter in eight accommodation centers.
More than 140 fire engines and over 800 emergency response personnel were sent to the scene.
The Ministry of Transport reported that roads in the area of the fire were closed.
Condolences from Chinese President Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the Hong Kong government on connection with the numerous victims, and also instructed the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office to provide support to local authorities in combating the consequences of the fire.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Kachhiu wished condolences to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery to those affected by the fire.
Lee held an emergency meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers to coordinate actions related to the elimination of the consequences of the fire.