TOLL RISES TO 128

Residents had raised concerns about fire hazards posed by ongoing renovation works

- REUTERS

Hong Kong's anti-graft body Friday said it had arrested eight people in connection with a fire that ripped through a high-rise apartment complex killing at least 128 people with 200 still missing in the city’s worst fire in nearly 80 years.

Authorities said they had concluded rescue operations at the Wang Fuk Court complex in the northern district of Tai Po, but warned the death toll may still rise.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption also said it had launched a task force to investigate possible corruption in the renovation project at the complex, after police arrested three people Thursday.

The fire in the Wang Fuk Court development started Wednesday afternoon and rapidly engulfed seven of the eight 32-storey blocks in the complex.

“We do not rule out the possibility that more bodies could be discovered when police enter the building for detailed investigations,” Hong Kong Security Chief Chris Tang told a press conference.

Tang also said fire alarms in the complex had not been working properly. The estate housing more than 4,600 people had been wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh for the renovations.

Rescue efforts had now been concluded and at least 79 people, including 12 firefighters were injured, he said.

“Our aim now is to make sure the temperature decreases in the building and once everything is deemed safe, police will collect evidence and conduct further investigation,” he said.