The death toll of the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has claimed 146 lives, with 79 injured.
Authorities confirmed that the search operations at Wang Kin House and Wang Tai House have been completed, bringing the total number of buildings searched to four.
As of 4pm, a total of 18 bodies have been recovered from various locations, including residential units, stairwells, and rooftops, while 54 bodies remain awaiting identification.
Authorities reported that the search conditions are exceptionally challenging, with the environment inside the buildings dark and poorly lit.
It is reported that the police’s Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU) teams have relied primarily on headlamps and other illumination tools, which have hindered the progress of rescue operations.
Police reported that nightfall hinders the ability to light the hazardous site thoroughly, pushing teams to maximize daylight operations.
Efforts are currently underway at Wang Shing House, as crews continue their thorough investigations.
Regarding the missing, officers reported that 159 individuals have been confirmed safe, while 92 have been identified as deceased and 37 are injured.
Additionally, around 100 cases remain unresolved, attributed to difficulties in reaching some complainants and fragmented information provided by others.The status of more than 40 people is still unaccounted for.
While Wang Chi House was not directly affected by the fire, authorities have warned against non-essential personnel entry, as the surrounding environment remains dangerous, with overhead objects posing falling hazards.
The police have confirmed that the cordon will not be lifted until safety is fully assured, pledging to expedite the clearance of dangerous materials.
