The death toll from a devastating fire that swept through a public housing estate in Hong Kong has climbed to 128, with as many as 200 people still unaccounted for, authorities said Friday.
Firefighters brought the inferno under control 42 hours after it broke out in an apartment complex in the Tai Po neighborhood, ending one of the city’s deadliest residential fires in recent years.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, said at least 79 people sustained injuries as the blaze rapidly spread across multiple buildings, trapping residents and causing widespread destruction.
“The situation remains fluid as there are about 200 people whose status is still unknown,” Tang told reporters, warning that the death toll could rise further as search and rescue operations continue.
Emergency teams are combing through rubble and damaged structures in a race against time to locate survivors, while medical personnel attend to the injured at nearby hospitals.
Residents described scenes of chaos as thick smoke engulfed the estate and flames leapt between floors, forcing many to flee through stairwells and windows.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and pledged a full safety review of public housing facilities across the city.
