A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong has left at least 128 people dead and raised serious concerns about potential corruption and negligence in the renovation project. The fire, which ignited on the afternoon of March 15, 2024, quickly engulfed seven of the complex’s eight towers, impacting a community of approximately 4,800 residents.
In the wake of this tragedy, authorities have arrested three men from a construction company on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence. These individuals, linked to the Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, were initially released on bail but subsequently detained by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). This agency has also arrested several others associated with the renovation project, highlighting their roles in the management of the construction work.
Documents obtained from the homeowners association indicate that the renovations had been a source of concern for residents. Complaints regarding safety issues, particularly about the scaffolding materials, were raised more than a year prior to the fire. The Hong Kong Labor Department confirmed it had received these complaints and conducted 16 inspections since July 2023, warning contractors to adhere to fire safety regulations. Despite assurances about the quality of materials, including the scaffolding netting, preliminary investigations suggest that the fire began on a lower-level scaffolding net, rapidly spreading due to highly flammable foam panels used in the renovation.
Chris Tang, the city’s Secretary for Security, noted that the blaze ignited the foam panels, causing glass to shatter and exacerbating the fire’s intensity. The rapid spread of the fire resulted in significant challenges for first responders, who took nearly 40 hours to fully extinguish the flames. Among the 79 injured were twelve firefighters, and tragically, one firefighter lost their life in the line of duty.
As the investigation continues, authorities are also focused on identifying the remaining victims. Of the 128 fatalities, officials have reported that 44 bodies still need to be identified, with around 150 individuals currently unaccounted for. Among the deceased are two Indonesian migrant workers, and the Indonesian Consul General confirmed that several other workers from Indonesia remain missing.
In the aftermath of the fire, heartfelt tributes have poured in from the community. Mourners have gathered at memorial sites near the complex, leaving flowers and messages of sympathy. One grieving mother, Sara Yu, emphasized the importance of cherishing life as she placed a white rose at a memorial with her young son.
The Hong Kong government has responded to the tragedy with a public mourning, including a three-minute silence led by Chief Executive John Lee at government headquarters. Flags have been lowered to half-staff as the city reflects on the severity of this tragic event, which marks one of the deadliest fires in Hong Kong’s recent history.
In 1996, a fire in Kowloon claimed 41 lives, while a warehouse fire in 1948 resulted in 176 fatalities. As investigations into the causes of this latest disaster unfold, the focus remains on ensuring accountability and addressing the safety concerns that had been previously raised by the residents of Wang Fuk Court.
