Hong Kong authorities have concluded a grim identification process, confirming the final death toll from a catastrophic apartment complex fire last November has risen to 168 people.
Final Toll and Victim Details
Security Secretary Chris Tang stated on Thursday that forensic examinations of all remains recovered from the Wang Fuk Court complex in Tai Po district were complete. The updated figure is seven higher than the previous official count and marks the conclusion of the victim identification effort.
Police confirmed the victims ranged in age from just six months to 98 years old. Among the deceased were one firefighter, five construction workers, two interior decorators, and ten foreign domestic helpers—nine from Indonesia and one from the Philippines. The final breakdown recorded 58 male and 110 female victims.
Out of respect for the bereaved families, the authorities have decided not to release the individual identities of the deceased at this stage.
The Scene of the Tragedy
The devastating blaze broke out at Wang Fuk Court, a residential estate built in the 1980s located in northeast Hong Kong. Census data cited by the BBC indicates the complex was home to around 4,600 residents, with a notably high proportion of elderly people—nearly 40% were aged 65 or above.
Thousands of firefighters were deployed to battle the intense flames, which raged for over a full day. Tragically, 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho lost his life during the operation. Four victims were pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital, while the remaining 164 bodies were recovered directly from the scene.
Ongoing Investigations and Arrests
Investigations into the precise cause of the fire are continuing. Officials have previously indicated that a protective mesh installed during renovation works failed to meet fire safety standards, likely contributing to the rapid spread of the fire. Reports from Japanese broadcaster NHK also suggested fire alarms within the complex were faulty.
In response to the tragedy, the city government established an independent committee to investigate the incident. Hong Kong leader John Lee revealed earlier this week that more than 30 people have been arrested on suspicion of offences including manslaughter, fraud, and corruption in connection with the fire.
The key focus for authorities now is to definitively determine the cause of the disaster and implement stricter supervision to prevent any similar occurrence in the future.
