Hong Kong's Deadliest Fire in 77 Years: 65 Lives Lost, 300 Missing in Devastating Blaze
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A massive fire has ravaged a Hong Kong high-rise apartment complex, claiming the lives of at least 65 people and leaving over 300 missing. The devastating blaze, which started on Wednesday at 2:50 pm, is the deadliest in 77 years, surpassing the 41 fatalities in a 1996 commercial building fire. The fire, classified as Grade 5, has raised serious concerns about official negligence, safety measures, and the city's planning. Firefighters have been battling the flames for over 20 hours, with three towers still burning. The blaze started in bamboo scaffolding and construction netting, which spread rapidly to seven of the eight towers, affecting around 4,600 residents. Investigations have revealed that substandard protective mesh and plastic materials, which failed to meet fire standards, may have exacerbated the fire. The police have also discovered sealed windows on an unaffected building, covered with foam material, installed by a construction company carrying out maintenance work. "We have reason to believe that the company's responsible parties were grossly negligent, leading to this accident and causing the fire to spread uncontrollably," said Eileen Chung, a Hong Kong police superintendent. Two directors and an engineering consultant from an engineering company have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The authorities have promised a full investigation into the disaster, with a task force set up to review the safety of scaffolding and construction materials in all housing estates undergoing major repairs. The tragedy has sparked widespread anger, criticism, and despair, with locals questioning whether risks were ignored and if safety systems were operational. The Hong Kong government has pledged to inspect all housing estates undergoing major repairs to ensure the safety of residents.
