HONG KONG, Nov 28 (Kyodo/APP): The death toll from a massive fire in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong that has burned for almost two days has increased to 94, with 76 people injured, local authorities said Friday.
Efforts to extinguish the fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon continued, with extensive damage to the buildings and cramped interior space making it difficult for firefighters to enter.
In the early hours of Thursday, authorities announced 279 people were unaccounted for in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire since its 1997 handover to Chinese rule.
The blaze enveloped seven of the eight towers in the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in the northern Tai Po district. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee claimed Thursday evening that the fire in all seven towers was “basically put under control,” even though flames were still visible.
Local media reported that fires reignited in some of the apartments Friday morning.