The death toll from a Hong Kong residential estate fire has risen to 146, with authorities expanding their search and arresting 11 people in connection with the blaze.
HONG KONG: The death toll from a devastating fire at a Hong Kong residential estate has risen to 146, police confirmed on Sunday.
Chief superintendent Tsang Shuk-yin of the police’s casualty enquiry unit stated the latest death toll stands at 146 as of 4:00 PM local time.
He added that authorities cannot rule out the possibility of further fatalities as search operations continue.
Officers from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit recovered additional bodies while expanding their search into three more high-rises at Wang Fuk Court.
The blaze now represents the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.
More than 1,000 people from across the Chinese city flocked to the housing complex in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district to pay respects on Sunday.
Authorities have established an interdepartmental investigation task force to determine the cause of the fire.
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has arrested 11 people in connection to the incident.
Three of those arrested also face manslaughter charges from police.
The Indonesian consulate confirmed at least seven Indonesian nationals died in the fire.
Manila’s consulate separately announced a Philippine overseas worker also perished in the blaze.
Hong Kong’s Buildings Department has ordered temporary suspension of works on 30 private building projects across the city as a precautionary measure.
