Hong Kong mourns victims of blaze as search for remains continues

"People in Hong Kong are mourning the deaths of at least 128 people who died in the region's largest blaze in decades in an eight-apartment residential complex. The flags outside the central government offices were lowered to half-mast on Saturday as Hong Kong leader John Lee, other officials and civil servants, all dressed in black, gathered to pay their respects to those lost at the Wang Fuk Court estate since the fire on Wednesday."

"By Friday, only 39 of the victims had been identified, leaving families with the morbid task of looking at the photographs of the deceased taken by rescue workers. The number of victims could still dramatically rise as some 200 people remain missing, with authorities declaring the end of the search for survivors on Friday. But identification work and search for remains continues, as Lee said the government is setting up a fund with 300 million Hong Kong dollars ($39m) in capital to help the residents."

"The local community is also pitching in, with hundreds of volunteers mobilising to help the victims, including by distributing food and other essential items. Some of China's biggest companies have pledged donations as well. The Wang Fuk Court fire marks Hong Kong's deadliest since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze. Officers from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit gather by the Wang Fuk Court estate [AFP] At least 11 people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy, according to local authorities."

An eight-apartment residential complex at Wang Fuk Court caught fire, killing at least 128 people and leaving about 200 missing from towers housing 4,600 residents. Flags were lowered to half-mast and officials gathered in black to mourn. Only 39 victims had been identified by Friday, forcing families to view photographs taken by rescue workers. Authorities declared the search for survivors over, while identification and recovery work continued. The government announced a HK$300 million fund to assist residents. Hundreds of volunteers and major companies mobilized to provide aid. At least 11 people were arrested, including maintenance firm directors and an engineering consultant.

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