Faulty Alarms Exposed in Hong Kong's Deadly High-Rise Blaze That Claimed 128 Lives
Image Source: Internet
Hong Kong's fire services have revealed that the alarm systems in the residential estate where the city's worst fire in decades occurred were malfunctioning. The devastating blaze on Wednesday killed 128 people and left the city in shock. Fire officials confirmed that the alarm systems in eight buildings were not functioning properly, prompting an investigation into the contractors responsible. The fire spread rapidly after construction netting and bamboo scaffolding surrounding the estate caught fire, engulfing seven of the eight residential towers. The massive inferno, which burned for over 40 hours, has left families in agony as they search for loved ones. Relatives and friends gathered outside a community centre, hoping for news of their missing family members. Emergency workers are still searching for survivors and victims, while families are inspecting photographs of the deceased. The tragedy has had a profound impact on Hong Kong's migrant domestic worker community, with dozens of employees from the Philippines caught in the fire. Nineteen domestic helpers from the Philippines are still missing, and two Indonesian citizens, both domestic workers, have been confirmed dead. Fire officials have vowed to take enforcement actions against the contractors responsible for the faulty alarm systems. The city is still reeling from the aftermath of the disaster, with many families struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones.
