Rescue operations following the catastrophic fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district have been completed, with around 200 people still missing. Hong Kong security chief Chris Tang said the search for survivors had ended, while at least 79 people were injured. The government announced that 12 firefighters were injured in the fire, one of whom is in serious condition.
Relatives and friends trying to identify loved ones killed in Hong Kong’s worst fire in 80 years lined up outside the center as rescuers searched for survivors and new victims, Reuters reports.
Dozens of people are still missing. Police said they arrested three construction company employees on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards that blocked windows.
While the firefighters repaired the fire and extinguished the still smoldering parts of the complex, the families had the difficult task of looking at the photos of the dead taken by the rescuers.
Mira Wong, whose parents lived in Wang Fuk Court, was looking for any news about her father.
“I just recognize a picture, maybe it’s my father’s body. My father’s body is still missing here,” said 48-year-old Wong.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said her friend’s wife was among the missing.
“Rationally speaking, that means there is no hope,” she said.
As many as 279 people were reported missing, but that number was not updated for more than 24 hours.
“We will try to force entry into all apartments in the seven buildings to make sure there are no other victims,” said Deputy Fire Chief Derek Chan.
He added that 25 calls for help to the Fire Service have still not been resolved, including three in the last hours, which will be prioritized.
Dozens of domestic workers from the Philippines were affected by the disaster, and 19 are still missing, said Edwina Antonio, executive director of the Betun House Association for the Protection of Migrant Women.
(TYPE/Source: Fena/Photo: X/Fena)
