Authorities raised the confirmed death toll from last week’s apartment complex inferno in Hong Kong to 151 on Monday, with more than 40 people still unaccounted for, while announcing 13 arrests on suspicion of manslaughter tied to faulty renovation materials that helped fuel the blaze.
Police and firefighters in protective gear continued combing seven blackened towers at the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po, recovering additional remains — some reduced to ash — from stairwells and rooftops where residents tried to escape Wednesday’s fire.
“Some of the bodies have turned into ash, therefore we might not be able to locate all missing individuals,” said Tsang Shuk-yin, head of the police casualty enquiry unit, visibly emotional at a news conference, Reuters reported.
Investigators said seven of 20 samples of green mesh netting used on bamboo scaffolding failed fire-retardant tests. Chief Secretary Eric Chan accused contractors of deliberately placing substandard material in hard-to-inspect areas.
“They just wanted to make money at the expense of people’s lives,” Chan told reporters, per The Guardian.
Faulty fire alarms and highly flammable foam insulation also contributed to the rapid spread, officials said. Residents had warned authorities last year about renovation hazards, only to be told risks were “relatively low.”
The disaster, Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, has displaced thousands. More than 1,100 survivors have moved into temporary housing, with hundreds more in hostels and hotels. Emergency grants of HK$10,000 ($1,284) per household are being distributed.
Amid public grief and growing anger, Beijing and local officials warned against using the tragedy for political gain. Security Secretary Chris Tang said some were exploiting the moment with “malicious intent” to harm Hong Kong and national security, vowing “appropriate action, including enforcement measures,” according to Reuters.
At least three people have been detained under sweeping national security laws, including activists behind petitions calling for an independent probe and accountability.
Police declined to comment on individual cases.
