The number of deaths in the deadliest fire in Hong Kong in recent decades has risen to 125, and authorities previously reported that they had contained the fire that ravaged a residential complex in Tai Po.
So far, 125 people have died, including one firefighter, and 76 were injured, including 11 firefighters, the Chinese media reported.
Earlier, the daily newspaper published that 280 people are listed as missing.
Hong Kong official John Lee earlier said that fires in seven buildings have been brought under control.
The fire broke out around noon on Wednesday in a complex consisting of more than 1.900 flats, and quickly spread because of bamboo scaffolding erected on the exterior for renovation works.
It is estimated that around 4.000 residents lived in the seven buildings affected by the flames.
A total of 280 people are still listed as missing.
Police have detained three people, two managers and one consultant from the construction company carrying out the renovation, on suspicion of “manslaughter by negligence.”
Authorities say that the bamboo scaffolding set up for renovation and foam plastic materials covering the windows significantly contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
“We have reason to believe that the responsible persons in the company were grossly negligent, which caused the rapid spread of the fire and led to many deaths,” said senior superintendent Eileen Chung Lai-yee.
Hong Kong Security Secretary Chris Tang said initial investigations showed that the speed of the fire’s spread was unusual, which mainly points to foam insulation material.
“We found that the material covering the building walls, the netting around the scaffolding, and the waterproof tarpaulin caused the flames to spread much faster than would have happened with materials that meet safety standards,” he noted.
For the first time in 17 years, Hong Kong issued a level-5 fire alarm, the highest on the city’s scale.
Authorities said two neighboring complexes were also evacuated, and about 900 residents affected by the fire took shelter in eight temporary facilities.
More than 140 fire engines and over 800 emergency responders and firefighters were deployed to the scene.
The Transport Department announced that roads in the area were closed due to the fire.
Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed condolences to the Hong Kong government for the loss of life and ordered the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Beijing to support local authorities in their response.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed deep sorrow over the large number of deaths and injuries, offering condolences to the victims’ families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
He also convened an emergency cabinet meeting to coordinate the response to the disaster.
The Chief Executive also established a fund of 300 Hong Kong dollars (38.5 million dollars or more than 33 million euros) to support the affected residents.
