“Due to a large-scale fire in high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, the number of dead has increased to 151 people, at least 30 people are considered missing.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
Source: CNN citing local officials
The death toll rose to 151 on Tuesday, with at least 30 people still missing, after Hong Kong’s worst fire in decades engulfed the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex. More than 4,000 people, many of whom were elderly, lived in the residential complex, which was undergoing reconstruction.
Advertising:
The search for the remains of the victims continues at the scene, experts are thoroughly searching each apartment.
“Because some of the bodies have turned to ash, we cannot rule out that we will not be able to retrieve all the missing people,” said Chief Inspector Karen Tsang, head of the accident investigation department.
Hong Kong’s leader has said he will ensure “justice” in the fire, as the city accuses construction companies of allegedly using poor-quality netting to wrap building frames.
The number of people detained in connection with the fire, which engulfed seven multi-story residential buildings and lasted for almost two days, has increased to 14 people, and, according to the authorities, more people may be detained.
Most of those detained are consultants, contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction work, and 13 of them are being investigated on suspicion of “manslaughter due to gross negligence,” officials said.
What preceded: It was previously known that the number of victims as a result of a large-scale fire in high-rise buildings in Hong Kong reached 146 people.