HK deadliest blaze in decades kills 94

Families of the scores still missing after Hong Kong’s worst blaze in decades scoured hospitals Friday as firefighting operations ended, with the death toll at least 94.

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Flames had moved quickly through the Wang Fuk Court housing estate in Tai Po district on Wednesday afternoon, spreading through the eight high-rises and transforming the densely packed complex into an inferno.

After burning for over 40 hours, the blaze was “largely extinguished” by 10:18 am (0218 GMT) Friday, the fire services said, announcing the end of its operations.

Authorities are investigating what sparked the fire, including examining the bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the complex as part of a major renovation.

At the charred apartment blocks, workers searched for survivors and pulled out bodies in black bags, with an AFP reporter counting four in one 15-minute period.