Fire crews in Hong Kong carried out an apartment-by-apartment search after a major fire gutted seven of eight buildings in a residential tower complex, killing at least 128 people. Responders prioritized units that had made multiple calls for help during the blaze but could not be reached. Officials, including Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan and Secretary for Security Chris Tang, cautioned that the death toll could still rise as searches continue.
Hong Kong High-Rise Blaze: Apartment-by-Apartment Search Continues After 128 Dead
Firefighters in Hong Kong conducted a painstaking apartment-by-apartment search Friday through a high-rise residential complex after a massive fire swept through seven of the site's eight buildings, leaving at least 128 people dead in one of the city's deadliest blazes.
Deputy Director Derek Armstrong Chan of the Hong Kong Fire Services said crews were prioritizing units from which they had received more than two dozen calls for help during the blaze but were unable to reach at the time. Teams focused first on those apartments as they worked methodically through the blackened towers.
The official death toll rose to 128 Friday afternoon after additional bodies were discovered. Secretary for Security Chris Tang, speaking at the scene, said the search was ongoing and warned the number of fatalities could still increase as crews continue to clear and inspect affected units.
Emergency responders continued to secure the site, conduct checks for hazards and assist survivors and families of victims. Authorities have not yet released details about the fire's cause; investigators and support services remain on site to complete their work and provide aid to those affected.
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