Fire in Hong Kong: 83 Dead, Three Arrested for Negligence.

According to ТСН: In Hong Kong, at least 83 people have died in a large fire that broke out in the Wang Fuk Court high-rise building in the Tai Po district. Approximately 300 individuals are reported missing. The local police believe that 'gross negligence' by the construction company, which used hazardous materials during the renovation of the skyscrapers, contributed to the tragedy.

Arrests and Suspicions of Negligence

The police have arrested three individuals, including two directors and an engineering consultant of the company, on suspicion of manslaughter. The residential building, built in the 1980s, was remodeled last year.

“We have reason to believe that the company’s officials were grossly negligent, leading to this incident and the uncontrolled spread of the fire that caused numerous casualties,” explained Police Superintendent Eileen Chung.

The fire broke out at 14:51 local time and engulfed seven of the eight buildings in the complex, where approximately 4800 people lived. Among the dead was a firefighter, and 11 rescuers were injured.

Firefighting and Search for Victims

By Thursday morning, firefighters had extinguished the fire in four of the seven affected buildings, while the fire in the three other buildings is under control. However, rescue operations are ongoing as the temperature inside remains high, and smoke is hindering investigations.

Causes of Fire Spread

The causes of the fire are currently under investigation, but it is believed that the fire originated in bamboo scaffolding and construction nets, spreading quickly to the buildings. Wind conditions may have also exacerbated the situation.

The use of bamboo scaffolding, although common in Hong Kong, is gradually declining due to safety risks. According to the association for the rights of workplace accident victims, there have been at least three fires at construction sites this year involving bamboo.

Response and Historical Parallels

This fire is the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when a fire in a warehouse killed 176 people. As a result of the tragedy, around 900 people were forced to seek temporary accommodation.

The Hong Kong government has established a fund of 300 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately 35.5 million euros) to support those affected. China’s President Xi Jinping called for comprehensive efforts to reduce losses.

The tragedy draws parallels to the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017, which claimed 72 lives due to flammable materials. This once again highlights the importance of safety on construction sites and the responsibility of companies.