Hong Kong blaze toll rises to 128

HONG KONG'S DEADLIEST fire in nearly eight decades has killed at least 128, officials announced shortly after making fresh arrests in connection with the blaze.

- OLIVIA TAM, PUIGWEN YEUNG AND SHIRLEY ZHAO

Secretary for Security Chris Tang said at a Friday briefing that officials couldn’t rule out finding more bodies. The status of roughly 200 residents remains uncertain, including 89 of the deceased whose identities haven’t been confirmed.

Tang also detailed how construction materials erected for renovation work at the estate contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.