HONG KONG – Hong Kong on Saturday mourned 128 people killed in a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise complex, the city’s deadliest blaze in nearly 80 years, with around 200 residents still unaccounted for.
Read More: Hong Kong Fire Leaves 128 Dead, Search for Victims Continues
Authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the disaster, investigating possible corruption and the use of unsafe materials during renovations.
The fire, which began Wednesday afternoon, engulfed seven of the eight 32-storey blocks, all wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, green mesh, and foam insulation. Rescue operations concluded on Friday, though police warned more bodies may be discovered during ongoing investigations. Authorities also revealed that the estate’s fire alarms had not been functioning properly.
The Police Disaster Victim Identification Unit continued their search at Wang Fuk Court as night fell on Friday, after at least 128 people were killed in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades.
Bouquets of white flowers were laid near the scene, as people mourned the loss of… pic.twitter.com/045ocDnJWQ
— Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) November 28, 2025
Hong Kong leader John Lee and other officials observed a three-minute silence outside government offices, with flags lowered to half-mast. Condolence books have been placed at 18 locations across the city for the public to pay respects. Britain’s King Charles described the incident as an “appalling tragedy.” Only 39 of the 128 dead had been identified by Friday.
Families and volunteers gathered at the site to mourn, lay flowers, and assist displaced residents. Hong Kong announced a HK$300 million ($40 million) relief fund, while major Chinese companies pledged donations.
WATCH: Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades killed 128 people and left about 200 missing after a blaze swept through the Wang Fuk Court residential towers, prompting police to investigate flammable renovation materials and faulty alarms https://t.co/FtzMDfk4Kl pic.twitter.com/8KQqwvvnnD
— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) November 28, 2025
Volunteers, including domestic workers from Indonesia and the Philippines, helped distribute essential supplies. Indonesia confirmed six of its citizens died, while the Philippines reported one critically injured and another missing.
The blaze has drawn comparisons to London’s Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017, which killed 72 people. Residents had previously raised fire safety concerns about the renovations and flammable scaffolding mesh in 2024.
Read More: Hong Kong blaze death toll rises to 128
Authorities arrested engineers, consultants, and contractors, including staff from Prestige Construction, on suspicion of manslaughter. Public anger has been largely muted, but volunteers are calling for proper resettlement, stricter oversight of construction, and an independent investigation.