Hong Kong held a solemn ceremony on Saturday to mourn at least 128 people killed in a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, with authorities warning that the toll could rise as 200 residents remain unaccounted for. The tragedy is the city’s deadliest blaze in nearly 80 years.

Investigation and Arrests

Authorities have arrested 11 people in connection with the fire, focusing on potential corruption and unsafe materials used during renovations. Among those detained are engineering consultants, scaffolding subcontractors, and company directors, with charges including suspected manslaughter.

The fire, which started on Wednesday afternoon, rapidly engulfed seven of the eight 32-storey blocks, all wrapped in bamboo scaffolding, green mesh, and foam insulation. Authorities noted that fire alarms were not functioning properly, exacerbating the disaster.

Search for Victims Continues

Rescue operations concluded on Friday, but police and disaster victim identification teams continue to search the burnt-out buildings. Families of the victims have faced the grim task of identifying loved ones from photographs taken by rescue workers, with only 39 of the 128 dead identified so far.

Government and Community Response

Hong Kong leader John Lee and other officials held a moment of silence outside the central government offices, signing a condolence book as flags flew at half-mast. The government announced a HK$300 million ($39 million) relief fund to assist residents.

Hundreds of volunteers have mobilized, providing food, diapers, and other essentials to displaced residents and setting up a support camp near a local shopping mall.

Impact on Domestic Workers

At least two victims were Indonesian domestic workers, and 19 Filipino domestic workers remain missing. Hong Kong has approximately 368,000 domestic workers, mostly women from low-income Asian countries, who often live in cramped conditions with their employers.

Deadliest Fire Since 1948

The Wang Fuk Court fire is the most lethal in Hong Kong since a warehouse blaze in 1948 that killed 176 people. Residents had previously raised concerns about the flammability of renovation materials, including protective mesh and foam boards, but were reassured that fire risks were “relatively low.”

Authorities continue to investigate safety violations and potential corruption, with several arrests made in recent days, including personnel linked to Prestige Construction, the firm responsible for maintenance at the estate.

The fire has drawn comparisons to other high-profile global tragedies, such as London’s Grenfell Tower fire, highlighting ongoing concerns over building safety, regulatory oversight, and accountability in urban housing projects.