HONG KONG (AP) — The deadliest fire in decades in Hong Kong took place at Wang Fuk Court, leading to at least 128 fatalities and raising serious concerns over corruption and negligence related to the renovations of the apartment complex. An intense fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the Tai Po district's residential estate, engulfing seven out of the eight towers, which housed around 4,800 residents. Prior to the incident, some residents had voiced safety concerns over the scaffolding materials used in the renovation project for more than a year.

In response to the tragedy, police arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. Following their release on bail, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) re-arrested them due to their roles in the renovation project. Previously, ICAC had detained eight individuals, including seven men and one woman associated with the project. Although the police have not officially revealed the name of the construction company, documentation from the homeowners association indicated that Prestige Construction & Engineering Company was responsible for the renovations. Authorities have seized numerous documents from the company, which did not respond to inquiries.

Officials are investigating the materials utilized during the renovations, particularly the netting on the scaffolding and the foam panels that covered windows, which may have played a significant role in enabling the fire's rapid spread. Documents reviewed indicated that residents had consistently raised alarm about the scaffolding's safety, particularly regarding the netting, prompting Hong Kong's labor department to conduct 16 inspections since July 2024. Despite having confirmed the safety certification of the netting, the labor department noted it was not a specific target for inspections. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated on the lower-level scaffolding net, quickly escalating due to the combustibility of the foam panels.

Chris Tang, the secretary for security in Hong Kong, reported that the blaze ignited the foam panels, resulting in glass shattering and the swift intensification of the fire, which then spread into the buildings' interiors. Following multiple breaches of safety regulations at the construction site, the labor department stated that three prosecutions were filed against the company; these led to fines amounting to 30,000 Hong Kong dollars ($3,850). The same company had previously faced fines for unrelated violations in 2023.

First responders indicated that some fire alarms in the complex, home to many elderly residents, failed to activate during testing. After combating the fire for nearly two days, firefighters achieved partial control only after a day, with complete extinguishing of the blaze occurring approximately 40 hours later. The urgency for first responders was amplified by emergency calls they received regarding apartments where occupants were unable to evacuate.

Among the injured were 79 individuals, including 12 firefighters, with one firefighter tragically losing their life. Even days following the outbreak, smoke continued to emerge from the ruins, hinting at potential flare-ups within the structure. Authorities have expressed that while they expect the numbers of identified bodies to grow, search efforts for any remaining trapped residents have concluded. They have confirmed the recovery of 128 bodies but indicated that 44 remain unidentified, with about 150 individuals still unaccounted for. Among the deceased were two Indonesian migrant workers, with about 11 others feared missing.

At the site of the fire, mourners gathered to pay their respects. One mother, Sara Yu, accompanied by her 2-year-old son, placed white roses in memory of the victims, expressing the importance of cherishing life. In the aftermath, flowers were left outside buildings near the scene, with poignant messages acknowledging the tragic loss of innocent lives. The city has lowered flags to half-staff, and Chief Executive John Lee led a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims at government headquarters.

This catastrophic event marks the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in recent decades, surpassing even a notable 1996 incident that resulted in 41 deaths and a warehouse fire in 1948 that claimed 176 lives. The tragedy has uncovered substantial questions about safety regulations and the oversight of construction projects in the region.