Name: Hongkongers demand government accountability after deadly fire
Uploaded: 2025-11-30T15:39:29.374Z
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: Hong Kong on Saturday (November 29) mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex, a toll that is likely to rise with 150 still missing. Authorities have arrested 14 people in connection with the blaze.

Hong Kong on Saturday (November 29) mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex, a toll that is likely to rise with 150 still missing. Authorities have arrested 14 people in connection with the blaze.

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong has entered a three-day mourning period after a fire at the Weng Fook Court housing estate claimed over 120 lives, with 150 people still missing. Authorities have arrested more than a dozen individuals as investigations focus on possible corruption and the use of unsafe materials during recent renovations.

Residents had previously raised concerns about fire hazards, but officials had assessed the risks as low. Public frustration has grown as reports emerged that safety complaints were overlooked, with volunteers now calling for an independent probe, improved oversight, and proper resettlement for affected residents.

Hongkongers demand government accountability after deadly fire

As Hong Kong began a three-day mourning period on Saturday after a catastrophic fire at a housing estate, authorities said they had arrested more than a dozen people in connection with the tragedy. The blaze, which tore through seven high-rise blocks of the Weng Fook Court complex on Wednesday, was the city's deadliest in nearly 80 years. Authorities warned the death toll of more than 120 was likely to rise, with 150 people still missing as of Saturday. An officer told reporters, nobodies were found after two of the towers were searched, though several pets were rescued. The arrests came as authorities investigated possible corruption and the use of unsafe materials during the renovations at the complex. Reports have also emerged that Weng Fook Court residents had repeatedly raised safety concerns over the works. More than a year ago, some had voiced worries about fire hazards, including the potential flammability of the protective mesh around the buildings, the city's Labor Department told Reuters. It said authorities at the time told them they faced, quote, relatively low fire risks. However, police said on Thursday materials used in the renovations were, quote, suspected of not meeting fire safety standards. Public anger over the fire has been muted, a stark contrast to mass pro-democracy protests of 2019 that prompted Beijing to tighten its grip on the city. But the reports of the complaints have shaken the city's residents. Hong Kong is supposed to be a civilised society. How come there's nobody checking around or inspecting things? Only after so many people have died and buildings have collapsed does the government finally speak up. Even the fire alarm didn't go off. Isn't that tragic? And also we just like to hope there will be a thorough investigation and inquiry to make sure the tragedy of this scale that has cost a lot of lives will be avoided and prevented Some frustrated volunteers handed out flyers near the estate, demanding government accountability. They also called for an independent probe into possible corruption, proper resettlement for residents, and a review of construction oversight.

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