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Hong Kong on Saturday entered a three-day official mourning period for victims of the devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po, as the death toll climbed to 128 and investigations widened. Authorities also announced that eight more people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy, one of the worst building fires the city has seen in decades.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said the latest arrests include engineering consultants, scaffolding subcontractors and a middleman involved in renovation works at the estate.They are being investigated for suspected corruption linked to repair and maintenance projects at the site, news agency ANI reported, citing the Global Times. The blaze erupted on Wednesday afternoon on scaffolding at one of the towers under large-scale renovation, before rapidly spreading to six neighbouring blocks covered with protective netting and construction materials.Firefighters battled the flames for more than 40 hours and used a team of nearly 1,000 personnel for rescue.Officials said at least 79 people have been injured, including 12 firefighters, while around 200 residents are still missing. Nearly 900 evacuees have been moved to temporary shelters as search and relief efforts continue.Early findings from the government’s briefing revealed alarming safety failures. Fire Services Director Andy Yeung confirmed that alarm systems in all eight buildings malfunctioned, leaving residents with no warning as the flames engulfed their homes.Investigators also found highly flammable polystyrene boards, foam packaging, bamboo scaffolding, and non-compliant netting around the building. These materials significantly accelerated the spread of the fire, according to AFP.“We do not rule out the possibility that police will find more charred remains when entering (the building) for detailed investigation and evidence collection,” Security Secretary Chris Tang told reporters.He added that the identification process for victims is still ongoing.Earlier, three men linked to the renovation contract were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. The Hong Kong government has now ordered urgent, city-wide inspections of all scaffolding and construction materials used in renovation works.As the mourning period began, Chief Executive John Lee led senior officials in a three-minute silence as flags flew at half-mast. Across the city, condolence points were set up and residents laid flowers near the charred towers. Families are still searching hospitals and identification centres for loved ones.“She is on antibiotics… so she is always sleeping. There was no fire alarm… she might not have known there was a fire,” said Mr Fung, who has been trying to locate his elderly mother-in-law.The blaze has become Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since 1948 and has raised urgent questions over safety compliance in ageing public housing. Authorities say a full investigation could take up to four weeks.