To commemorate those lost in the city’s deadliest fire in almost 80 years, Hong Kong officials have observed a moment of silence at the beginning of a three-day mourning period. The fire that consumed seven tower blocks on Wednesday is now confirmed to have killed at least 128 people. 150 people are still missing, and an additional 83 were hurt. Due to the renovations the blocks were undergoing, eight people have been detained on suspicion of corruption. Earlier, three more people were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Although the cause of the fire is still unknown, authorities have stated that flammable items placed on the outside of the blocks caused it to travel quickly up and between them. City leader John Lee and other Hong Kong authorities participated in the ceremony, which took place outside government offices on Saturday morning, and they observed three minutes of quiet.
The Hong Kong and Chinese flags were flown at half mast. Additionally, the public can pay their condolences and sign condolence books at the memorial sites the government has established throughout the city. The fire swiftly spread to seven of Wang Fuk Court’s eight towers in the Tai Po district, a northern neighborhood of Hong Kong. After that, it took almost 2,000 firemen nearly two days to contain the fire.
Also Read:
Before His Meetings With the US in Moscow, Putin Intensifies his Demands for Ukrainian Territory
Most Non-EU Visitors Will see a 45% Increase in Admission Rates at The Louvre
