Death Toll Reaches 151 as Authorities Arrest 13 in Manslaughter Probe

Hong Kong is reeling from one of the worst disasters in its modern history. As the death toll from the devastating blaze at Wang Fuk Court estate climbed to 151, police announced a widening criminal investigation, arresting 13 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter. The fire — the deadliest the city has seen since 1948 — burned through seven residential towers undergoing renovation, leaving behind charred corridors, collapsed scaffolding, and a city in shock.

The aftermath has rapidly evolved from a rescue mission into a forensic probe that raises serious questions about construction oversight, fire safety enforcement, and the potential use of substandard materials that may have accelerated the inferno. Meanwhile, more than 40 people remain missing, with authorities warning that some bodies may never be recovered.

A Disaster Fueled by Faulty Renovation Materials

Early findings from investigators paint a deeply troubling picture. Officials confirmed that contractors had used non-fire-retardant green mesh wrapped around bamboo scaffolding, despite regulations requiring verified fire-resistant materials. Tests on samples recovered from the scene showed that the mesh failed to meet fire-retardant standards.

Chief Secretary Eric Chan stated that contractors appeared to have installed the unsafe material in hard-to-inspect areas, raising suspicions that the violations were deliberate. The mesh reportedly ignited quickly and carried flames upward, allowing fire to spread between floors at alarming speed.

Authorities also identified foam insulation used during renovations as another accelerant. Combined with dormant or malfunctioning fire alarms, the materials formed a deadly chain of failures that contributed to the rapid collapse of escape routes.

Search Efforts Enter Most Devastated Buildings

Some of the remains recovered have been reduced to ash, complicating identification efforts. Hong Kong police official Tsang Shuk-yin, visibly emotional, told reporters:

“Some of the bodies have turned into ash, therefore we might not be able to locate all missing individuals.”

The search is expected to continue for weeks.

A Community Displaced: Thousands Forced From Homes

The Wang Fuk Court estate, home to more than 4,000 residents, is now largely uninhabitable. Authorities relocated over 1,100 people from evacuation centers into temporary housing, with another 680 individuals placed in youth hostels and hotels.

Many escaped with only the clothes they wore while fleeing. To provide immediate relief, the government has issued HK$10,000 (US$1,284) per household and launched fast-track services for replacing identity cards, passports, and marriage certificates lost in the fire.

For residents who have lost homes, possessions, and in some cases family members, the path to recovery will be long and uncertain.

Public Grief and Anger: City Mourns, Demands Answers

Across Hong Kong, grief has turned into a visible public outpouring. Thousands have lined a kilometer-long canal near the estate, offering flowers, candles, and prayers. Among the victims were at least nine domestic helpers from Indonesia and one from the Philippines, prompting international tributes and vigils scheduled in Tokyo, London, and Taipei.

However, sorrow has also fueled anger. Residents say that their repeated warnings over fire risks and hazardous renovation materials were ignored. According to the Labour Department, residents reported concerns as far back as September 2024, including fears about the highly flammable scaffolding mesh. Yet the estate was inexplicably rated as having “relatively low fire risks” just last year.

This perceived negligence has led to growing calls for an independent investigation — and has triggered a forceful response from authorities.

National Security Warnings and Arrests Stir Tension

Political tensions deepened after Beijing’s national security office issued a stern warning against what it called attempts to “disrupt Hong Kong through disaster.” Authorities claimed that some individuals with “malicious intent” were trying to exploit public grief for anti-China sentiment.

One of the individuals behind a petition calling for an independent review, Miles Kwan, 24, was detained for nearly two days. Sources say two others were arrested on suspicion of “seditious intent,” though police have not confirmed the charges.

Security Chief Chris Tang said:

“Some people with malicious intent, aiming to harm Hong Kong and national security, have taken advantage of this painful moment. We must take appropriate action.”

The crackdown has sparked concern that legitimate calls for accountability may be suppressed under the umbrella of national security.

Hong Kong’s Deadliest Fire Since 1948

To understand the magnitude of the tragedy, it must be viewed in historical context. The only deadlier blaze in Hong Kong occurred in 1948, when a warehouse fire killed 176 people. In a city with some of the world’s strictest building safety codes and rapid emergency response systems, such a large loss of life is both rare and deeply unsettling.

The timing adds further weight: the tragedy occurred just days before scheduled legislative elections, putting the competence of infrastructure oversight under intense public scrutiny.

Inside the Burnt Towers: Scenes of Devastation

Police images released Monday show harrowing scenes:

• Rooms with furniture burned into skeletal frames
• Collapsed ceilings dripping with soot and ash
• Pools of water from days of firefighting
• Stairwells blocked with debris
• Roof access points where residents attempted to escape

Forensic teams, structural engineers, and fire investigators continue to gather evidence. Authorities say parts of the complex may need to be demolished.

Renovation Oversight Under Fire

Evidence increasingly suggests that poor oversight and possible corruption contributed to the scale of disaster.

Key failures identified include:

1. Non-fire-retardant scaffolding mesh

Tests on samples confirmed they didn’t meet safety standards.

2. Foam insulation used incorrectly

The material is highly flammable in certain conditions and may have intensified vertical flame spread.

3. Hidden installation methods

Contractors reportedly placed unsafe materials where inspectors were unlikely to check.

4. Faulty fire alarms

Fire alarms in multiple buildings reportedly malfunctioned or failed entirely, slowing evacuation.

Combined, these failures created a perfect storm that turned a renovation site into a deadly trap.

The 13 Arrests: Who Is Being Investigated?

Authorities arrested 13 people in connection with the blaze. While names have not been disclosed, the suspects include:

• Contractors
• Subcontractors
• Site supervisors
• Individuals linked to materials procurement

They are currently being investigated for manslaughter, misuse of unsafe materials, and potentially obstructing inspection processes.

International Reaction and Regional Impact

With foreign domestic helpers among the victims, the tragedy has drawn attention from Indonesia and the Philippines. Their consulates in Hong Kong have requested expedited identification processes and support for families of the deceased.

Additionally, international safety watchdogs are now scrutinizing Hong Kong’s construction compliance systems, long considered among the most robust in Asia.