Firefighters are still searching for hundreds of missing people after a massive fire tore through multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong.
At least 65 people died in the blaze - the city's deadliest in more than 70 years - at Wang Fuk Court's complex, which is home to thousands.
The tower blocks had been undergoing extensive renovations - and while the exact cause for the fire is unclear, police say materials on the outside of the buildings may have facilitated its spread.
Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, and Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee has vowed to launch a comprehensive investigation.
The fire, which tore through seven of eight tower blocks in Tai Po district on Wednesday, is now basically under control according to officials. It started around local time 14:51, with flames and thick smoke anticipating a swift emergency response.
By 18:22, the blaze was classified as level five, the most severe category, indicating significant danger. Among those lost was firefighter Ho Wai-ho, whose dedicated service is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by first responders.
As the community grapples with grief and anger, many survivors have reported the absence of fire alarms during the incident, raising questions about safety protocols and the extent of the renovations. The use of non-fireproof materials and dangerous scaffolding is under examination, with experts calling for immediate safety inspections.
Hong Kong's government is responding by considering stricter regulations on construction materials. Efforts are ongoing as search and rescue operations continue amidst the smoldering remains of Towers.
