• The men were arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as death toll hits 65, with 76 in hospital and hundreds missing.
• Hong Kong to switch from bamboo scaffolding to steel.
Hong Kong police today arrested three men they said were in charge of a construction company after flames engulfed seven high-rise apartment blocks under refurbishment yesterday in the Tai Po District of the New Territories.
Sixty-five people were confirmed dead at 8.24pm local time today, with 76 injured in hospital and hundreds unaccounted for.
Police said the men, aged between 52 and 68, were arrested “for manslaughter”.
The fire broke out at around 2.50pm local time yesterday and appears to have spread along the buildings’ bamboo scaffolding, which was sheathed in netting.
“Upon initial investigation, it was suspected that the protective nets, tarpaulins and plastic sheets used for the maintenance works may not have been up to fire safety standards,” a police statement issued today read.
“It was also revealed that foam boards were found installed to the windows of the buildings concerned,” it added.
Refurbishment project
Citing the Hong Kong government, South China Morning Post reports that Prestige Construction & Engineering Co Limited was refurbishing the eight, 31-storey towers of the Wang Fuk Court housing estate, of which seven caught fire yesterday.
The towers were built in 1983. The refurbishment project began in January 2024 and was due to finish in the second quarter of 2026, the Post reported.
Hong Kong consultancy Will Power Architects issued a statement today expressing deep sorrow, the Post reports. The Post said Will Power Architects prepared the report that assessed bidders for the project and gave its highest B rating to Prestige Construction & Engineering before the firm was selected.
Eric Chan, chief secretary of the special administrative region, today said Hong Kong will switch from bamboo to steel scaffolding as soon as possible, the Post reports. He said the government would consult with the industry on making the change.
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