At least 128 people have died in a devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong.
A further 79 people have been injured in the city's deadliest blaze in more than 70 years, which occurred in the northerly suburb of Tai Po, while dozens remain missing.
The tower blocks had been undergoing renovations when the fire began. The cause of the blaze remains unclear but officials said on Friday that Styrofoam placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its rapid spread.
Three people overseeing the renovations are under arrest for manslaughter, and authorities have launched a corruption inquiry.
Bringing the fire under control involved more than 2,311 firefighters. The fire was fully extinguished by 10:18 local time (02:18 GMT) on Friday.
Authorities stated that police will begin entering the buildings to gather evidence, with an investigation expected to take three to four weeks.
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and provided nearly 2,000 apartments for around 4,600 residents, many of whom are elderly.
Shock has quickly turned to anger in Hong Kong, with residents questioning accountability for the disastrous incident, as reports emerged that fire alarms in all eight blocks were non-functional.
This tragic event highlights broader concerns regarding fire safety regulations and oversight in construction practices.
