🔗 Share this article

The devastating number of fatalities from the major residential block blaze in Hong Kong has climbed to 159, while authorities have mandated the taking down of all scaffolding mesh across the city by this Saturday.

A Fatal Inferno Which Has Become a Global Tragedy

The fire that engulfed Wang Fuk Court in the northern Tai Po district last week now is considered the world’s deadliest apartment block blaze to occur since 1980.

Law enforcement have indicated that the fatality count may still be revised, as officers recovered "suspected human bones" that require additional analysis.

“I hope people can come here to lay their grief to rest,” said a volunteer organiser, noting that the victims endured “a great deal of unfairness.”

Netting Blamed for Quick Escalation of Flames

Authorities have previously stated the disaster at the housing complex, which was undergoing major renovations, was likely made worse by the use of netting that did not meet safety regulations.

The flames are said to have rapidly spread across the surfaces of the apartment blocks, which were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, safety mesh, and foam boards.

In reaction, the secretary for development on Wednesday ordered all Hong Kong buildings undergoing major maintenance to take down the mesh by Saturday. This order is expected to affect approximately 200 structures across the city.

A Community Grieving

Mourners have kept coming to a public garden near the fire-damaged buildings, leaving countless flowers and notes of remembrance for the victims. The most junior victim was a one-year-old, and the most senior was 97.

Sections of the park were decorated with rows of paper cranes, and volunteers distributed paper and pens to visitors.

One 26-year-old visitor, characterised the location as a “connection,” allowing for “an exchange and the sharing of sorrow through this silent bond” with those who perished.

Aftermath and Arrests

Occupants of the sole unaffected tower were allowed to return home briefly on Wednesday to retrieve belongings.

Officials stated that over 2,900 residents have been provided with short-term accommodation.

Police have previously detained a group of fifteen individuals, including building firm executives, on charges related to manslaughter.

A further six have been arrested on a different charge, concerning the estate’s fire alarms which failed to work at the moment the fire started.

Appeals for Order and Caution

While the catastrophe has spurred widespread calls for accountability and change, leaders are also monitoring for any public disturbance linked to the incident.

The chief executive has warned against crimes that “take advantage of the disaster.”

In a different announcement, the national security office condemned what it called “outside agitators” that have “taken advantage of the disaster to create unrest and provoke disorder.”

The authority wrote that “all acts and words aimed at destabilising Hong Kong will be documented and investigated indefinitely,” and that “all conspiracies to disrupt Hong Kong will have nowhere to conceal themselves.”

Local media have detailed the detentions of several individuals over the weekend, including a 24-year-old student and a ex-local representative, for alleged sedition. Both men were later seen departing from custody.

In a connected event, a campus message board run by a student union was sealed off on Wednesday. A note stuck to the board, which could still be seen behind barricades, said: “We are Hongkongers. Urge the government to address public requests so fairness may prevail.”