57 h. ago Hong Kong orders scaffold netting to be removed at 200 sites in wake of inferno

Authorities have ordered scaffold netting to be removed at about 200 locations across Hong Kong by Saturday after suspected false safety certificates were found at two building sites following the Tai Po blaze that claimed 159 lives. A week after Hong Kong’s worst inferno in decades, police on Wednesday arrested six men from the company responsible for the fire alarm system at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex, where the blaze ripped through seven towers covered in bamboo scaffolding and...

Politics

3 d. ago 6 arrested over fire alarm system at Hong Kong blaze estate; death toll now 159

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 159 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters About 30 people remain unaccounted for HK$2.3 billion raised for rescue and relief efforts The eight blocks in Wang Fuk Court had been undergoing renovations since July...

Events

3 d. ago Man arrested for arson, murder after woman found injured in Hong Kong flat dies

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and murder after a woman was found injured inside a Hong Kong flat and later died. Police said they received a report at 6.59am on Tuesday after security guards at Ting Fuk House of On Ting Estate in Tuen Mun spotted a fire in the flat. First responders arrived at the scene to find papers burning, along with a man and a woman, both believed to be about 50 years old. The unconscious woman, who had cut wounds on her body, was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital,...

Events

3 d. ago Hong Kong man facing murder charge after wife found with knife wounds, burns

A man has been arrested after allegedly attacking and killing his wife with a knife and trying to set fire to their home in northwestern Hong Kong. Police said they received a report of a flat fire and a person injured at 6.59am on Tuesday from security guards at On Ting Estate in Tuen Mun. First responders arrived at the flat in Ting Fuk House and put out a fire that covered about 11 sq ft, said Chief Inspector Patty Chong Yuen‑na of Tuen Mun police. The woman, a convenience shop worker, had...

Events

4 d. ago Hong Kong arrests more suspects in fire probe as death toll hits 151

Hong Kong arrests more suspects in fire probe as death toll hits 151  Reuters

Events

6 d. ago Hong Kong begins 3 days of mourning as more arrests made over deadly blaze

Hong Kong began a three-day official mourning period on Saturday for victims of the city’s deadliest blaze in decades as residents queued at the site of the tragedy and various halls to pay their respects, penning tributes and laying flowers. For the first time since the fire broke out on Wednesday at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the death toll remained at 128 on Saturday. No further human remains were recovered, while about 150 people remained “unreachable”, according to police. Graft-busters...

Events

6 d. ago Man arrested for alleged sedition in Hong Kong amid warning over fire rumours

Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of trying to incite sedition in relation to the deadly blaze in Tai Po, the Post has learned. The move on Saturday came as the central government’s national security authorities in Hong Kong warned against “anti-China and ill-intentioned individuals” exploiting the tragedy in an attempt to disrupt the city. A source earlier said a man, identified as “Miles”, had been taken to a police station for questioning. It remains...

Events

6 d. ago National security police arrest man over petition as Hong Kong mourns fire dead

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 150 people unclear The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green...

Events

6 d. ago National security police arrest man as Hong Kong mourns 128 fire dead

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 150 people unclear The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green...

Events

6 d. ago Filipino helper among Hong Kong fire dead as national security police arrest man

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 128 people, including a firefighter, confirmed dead 79 injured, including 12 firefighters Status of 150 people unclear The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, covered in bamboo scaffolding and green...

Events

8 d. ago 2 consultant directors arrested as Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 94

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 94 people, including a firefighter, have died 76 injured including 11 firefighters 25 calls for help remain unresolved More bodies are retrieved from fire scene wrapped in black bags Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman, an elderly man and pets...

Events

9 d. ago 44 dead, 279 missing in Hong Kong fire, with 3 arrested as probe launched

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. What we know so far: 44 people, including a firefighter, have died. Some 279 are still missing Among those hospitalised, 45 are in serious condition The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh Authorities say the rapid spread of fire was “unusual”, with...

Events

9 d. ago 44 dead, 279 missing in Hong Kong fire, now burning for 16 hours; 3 arrested

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. What we know so far: 44 people, including a firefighter, have died. Some 279 are still missing Among those hospitalised, 45 are in serious condition The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh Authorities say the rapid spread of fire was “unusual”, with...

Events

9 d. ago Death toll hits 44, 279 missing in Hong Kong’s worst fire, burning for 19 hours

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. What we know so far: 44 people, including a firefighter, have died. Some 279 are still missing Among those hospitalised, 45 are in critical condition Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman and more pets extracted from buildings The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed in bamboo...

Events

9 d. ago 44 dead, 279 missing in Hong Kong’s worst fire, now burning for 20 hours

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. What we know so far: 44 people, including a firefighter, have died. Some 279 are still missing 68 people are in hospital, 16 in critical condition, 25 deemed serious Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman and more pets evacuated from buildings The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed...

Events

9 d. ago John Lee orders inspections as 44 dead in Hong Kong fire, Jack Ma makes donation

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. What we know so far: 44 people, including a firefighter, have died. Some 279 are still missing 68 people are in hospital, 16 in critical condition, 25 deemed serious Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman and more pets evacuated from buildings The eight residential blocks in the estate had been undergoing renovations since July 2024, sheathed...

Events

9 d. ago Fire toll remains at 55 as Hong Kong sets up HK$300 million fund for victims

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 55 people, including a firefighter, have died. Fifty-one were found dead at the scene 76 people are in hospital – 15 in a critical condition, 28 deemed serious Another 62 people are still trapped inside seven buildings Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a...

Events

9 d. ago Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 65 as survivor found on stairs of building

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 65 people, including a firefighter, have died 70 injured including 10 firefighters Another 62 people are still trapped inside seven buildings Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman, an elderly man and pets evacuated The eight residential blocks in the...

Events

9 d. ago Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 75 as survivor found on stairs of building

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 75 people, including a firefighter, have died 76 injured including 11 firefighters 50 calls for help to fire services remain unresolved Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman, an elderly man and pets evacuated The eight residential blocks in the...

Events

9 d. ago Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 83 as survivor found on stairs of building

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. Get faster notifications on the latest updates by downloading our app. What we know so far: 83 people, including a firefighter, have died 76 injured including 11 firefighters 50 calls for help to fire services remain unresolved Full-scale rescue work is ongoing, with a woman, an elderly man and pets evacuated The eight residential blocks in the...

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