Hong Kong Fire: According to sources cited by AFP on Thursday, the death toll from the enormous fire that destroyed several high-rise residential buildings in the Tai Po region of northern Hong Kong has increased to at least forty-four. The police have also taken three people into custody. The structures are still releasing a lot of smoke, indicating that the fire has not been fully contained.
Updates on Hong Kong Fire: One of the worst fires in recent memory started on Wednesday afternoon in a complex of eight buildings housing 2,000 apartments.
-Residents were trapped inside their houses as the fire quickly spread over the bamboo scaffolding around several apartment complexes.
-According to Reuters, at least 300 individuals are still missing and several others have been admitted to hospitals. Approximately 700 individuals have been moved to makeshift shelters.
-On Thursday morning, the fire department revised the death toll from 36 to 44.
-According to authorities, three guys were taken into custody, as reported by AFP. On suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the fire, the guys have been placed under arrest. Nevertheless, no particular information has been given in this respect.
-The materials on the outside of the buildings that could have contributed to the fire spreading more quickly will be the subject of an inquiry, according to the authorities.
-The horrifying images showed burning apartments and charred scaffolding falling from the blazing structures.
Derek Armstrong Chan, the deputy director of fire department operations, was reported by AFP as saying, “The temperature at the scene is very high and there are some floors where we have been unable to reach people who requested help, but we will keep trying.”
-Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed sorrow for the fire tragedy’s fatalities. According to state media, Putin also sent his condolences to “the firefighter who died in the line of duty.”
– A few portions of a neighboring roadway were also closed due to the firefighting activities.
