Firefighting operations at Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades have ended, a government spokesperson said, with the death toll rising to 94 and dozens more still missing.
According to the fire service, the flames were “largely extinguished” as of 10:18am (02:18 GMT) on Friday, and “firefighting operations have ended,” the fire service said, announcing the end of its operations.
The eight-tower Wang Fuk Court estate in the northern district of Tai Po, which houses more than 4,600 people, had been undergoing renovations and was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh when the fire started and quickly spread on Wednesday afternoon.
Police said they had arrested three construction company officials on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards blocking windows.
On Friday morning, firefighters continued to work at the still-smouldering complex.
“We’ll endeavour to effect forcible entry to all the units of the seven buildings, so as to ensure there are no other possible casualties,” Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan told reporters early on Friday.
media’s Jessica Washington, reporting from outside the residential complex, said firefighters have been going through each of the apartments on Friday trying to find any trapped residents.
“The community is in a deep state of grief,” she said.
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