Hong Kong Fire: 4,600 people were in eight towers, the death toll has risen to 146... Key facts about the worst fire in 77 years

News Topical, Digital Desk : At least 14 people have died in a massive fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po area. The Wang Fuk Court residential complex raged for three days. The fire has been brought under control and rescue operations have been completed.

Hong Kong fire officials said they hope to complete search and rescue operations after the worst blaze in nearly 80 years ripped through a large apartment complex on Friday, killing at least 128 people and leaving dozens still missing.

7 towers engulfed in flames

Seven of the eight 32-story towers at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Hong Kong's northern district of Tai Po were engulfed in flames. The eight-tower complex, home to more than 4,600 people, was sheltered by bamboo scaffolding and green netting when the fire broke out and spread rapidly on Wednesday afternoon.

Police said they had arrested three construction company executives on suspicion of manslaughter for using unsafe materials, including flammable foam boards to block windows. Hong Kong's security chief Chris Tang said on Friday that rescue operations at a residential development had been completed, with at least 128 people dead in a fire.

Three people arrested

Police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction, which had been maintaining the buildings for more than a year. Police Superintendent Eileen Chung said on Thursday that they believe the responsible parties at the company committed gross negligence, leading to this accident.

279 people missing

"We will try to enter all units in all seven buildings to prevent any further casualties," Deputy Fire Services Director Derek Chan told reporters Friday morning. As of Thursday morning, 279 people were listed as missing, but that figure hasn't been updated for more than 24 hours. He added that 25 calls for help to the fire department remain unanswered.

Worst fire since 1948.

Most of the victims were found in the complex's two towers, while firefighters found survivors in several buildings. The death toll rose to 128 on Friday afternoon. It is Hong Kong's worst fire since 1948, when a warehouse blaze killed 176 people.

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries in the world

Hong Kong is one of the world's most densely populated cities, dotted with high-rise housing complexes. Skyrocketing property prices have long been a source of resentment, and this tragedy could further fuel anger against the authorities. 

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