A devastating fire in residential buildings in Hong Kong has claimed 128 lives, with local authorities reporting 79 injured and dozens still missing.
According to international media reports, the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined. However, authorities said that polystyrene sheets and protective nets installed on the exterior windows of the buildings contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
Reports indicate that renovation and repair work was ongoing in the buildings prior to the fire. In connection with this, the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested eight individuals on suspicion of corruption, including a director of an engineering company.
Police are collecting evidence from inside the affected buildings, with officials stating that the investigation could take three to four weeks to complete.
The government has established temporary shelters and support centers for the affected families.
This fire has been described as the worst in Hong Kong’s 70-year history.