Hong Kong is beginning a period of three days of mourning for the victims of the city's deadliest fire since 1948. China has launched a fire safety inspection campaign for high-rise buildings across the country.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee was among those officials to observe three minutes of silence at the central government offices to mourn the victims of the Wang Fuk Court residential estate fireImage: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Advertisement
Three days of mourning began on Saturday in Hong Kong after the city's deadliest fire in decades.
Authorities on Friday afternoon put the death toll at 128 but warned that more charred remains could be found as investigators combed the towers.
With at least 150 people still missing from Wednesday's tragedy, the death toll is expected to rise.
Three minutes of silence and flags at half-mast
On Saturday morning, top officials, among them Chief Executive John Lee, stood in silence for three minutes outside the government headquarters.
Until Monday, flags at all government buildings will be flown at half-mast.
Hong Kong mourns victims of fire in housing towers
02:17
This browser does not support the video element.
China launches nationwide safety inspection
Meanwhile, in response to the blaze, China is launching a fire safety inspection campaign for high-rise buildings across the country.
The focus of the campaign will be buildings undergoing external wall renovations and interior modifications, the Ministry of Emergency Management said in a statement on Saturday.
There will be four key areas of inspection, namely scrutiny of flammable materials used in external wall insulation systems, prohibited construction materials such as bamboo scaffolding, fire safety equipment, and evacuation routes.
Hundreds still missing after Hong Kong high-rise inferno
02:06
This browser does not support the video element.
How long did it take to extinguish the fire?
Hong Kong's fire department were alerted to the fire at the residential complex shortly before 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Wednesday.
The fire department said it received reports on Wednesday at 2:51 p.m. (0651 GMT) of a fire in the residential complex. It was upgraded to a Number 4 alarm at 3:34 p.m. and as night fell it was declared a five-alarm fire, the highest level.
It would go on to burn for more than 40 hours and engulfed seven of the complex's eight buildings before being finally extinguished on Friday morning.
It is Hong Kong's deadliest blaze since 1948, when 176 people died in a warehouse blaze, and has prompted comparisons to London's Grenfell Tower inferno, which killed 72 people in 2017.
Hong Kong in shock after major fire
Numerous dead and hundreds missing: A devastating high-rise fire spread at an alarming speed in a residential complex in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government announced inspections in the construction sector.
Image: Tyrone Siu/REUTERS
Residential complex on fire
The world looks on in shock: a devastating fire in Hong Kong engulfed a high-rise complex within 24 hours. Seven of the eight 31-story buildings in the Wang Fuk residential complex in the northern district of Tai Po went up in flames in a very short time. Authorities report more than 50 dead and hundreds missing, while police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Image: Nexpher Images/Sipa USA/picture alliance
Combustible scaffolding
Are these the cause of the devastating fire? Bamboo scaffolding covered with nets burned down on the outside of the high-rise buildings. The residential buildings from the 1980s were being scaffolded for renovation work. Police arrested three people from a construction company on suspicion of negligent homicide and announced inspections at other construction sites.
Image: Tyrone Siu/REUTERS
Firefighting under extreme conditions
The fire department has reported difficult conditions, including falling debris and extremely high temperatures on the upper floors. The fire is now under control, but flames are still being fought in three buildings. During the investigation into the causes of the fire, investigators found highly flammable insulation material around the windows and potentially inferior building materials.
Image: Nexpher Images/Sipa USA/picture alliance
Spontaneous solidarity in Hong Kong
Many people lost all their belongings in the flames; more than 900 people are in emergency shelters now. Spontaneously organized donations of clothing and food are helping those affected through the difficult time. "The spirit of the people of Hong Kong is that everyone helps anyone in need," says Stone Ngai. The 38-year-old is one of the organizers of the spontaneous relief effort.
Image: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
Tears, sorrow and despair
This is the worst fire disaster in decades in the densely populated metropolis. According to some residents, the fire alarm was barely audible — neighbors warned each other about the flames. "Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbors," reports a man who was able to leave the burning towers in time. "That's what the situation was like."
Image: Tyrone Siu/REUTERS
Safety standards in the construction sector under review
In the wake of the devastating fire, authorities announced a review of safety standards for all major residential construction projects. A law that took effect in March 2025 says that at least half of the scaffolding used in public construction projects in Hong Kong must be made of metal in order to reduce the risk of a rapidly spreading fire.
Image: Yan Zhao/AFP
Fire department in continuous operation
Rescue efforts are still going on. First responders are still pulling survivors out of the burned-out apartment towers with more than 2,000 apartments. According to media reports, rescuers are also getting pets like cats and dogs out of burning apartments. John Lee, Hong Kong's chief executive, announced a relief fund worth about $38.5 million to help those affected financially.
