128 Dead as Hong Kong’s Worst High-Rise Fire in Decades Prompts Criminal Probe

The death toll from the devastating fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has risen to 128, authorities confirmed on Friday, as rescue operations officially concluded and investigators turned their focus to possible criminal negligence behind the disaster.

The blaze, which erupted on 26 November, swept through seven residential towers undergoing renovation, fuelled by bamboo scaffolding, plastic mesh and flammable foam materials. More than 4,600 residents were displaced, while around 200 people remain unaccounted for, raising fears the final casualty count may climb.

Officials have arrested several individuals linked to the renovation project on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption. Early findings suggest serious safety lapses, including improper materials and non-functioning fire alarms.

The Hong Kong government has launched citywide safety inspections of public housing estates and pledged reforms to prevent similar tragedies. Families of the missing continue to gather at emergency centres, seeking answers as identification work progresses.

The Wang Fuk Court blaze is now the deadliest residential fire in Hong Kong’s modern history, prompting widespread calls for accountability and stricter oversight of building renovations.