Hong Kong began a three-day official mourning period on Saturday as the city grappled with grief following a devastating fire that claimed at least 128 lives.
Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as investigators continue to search the charred Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Tai Po district.
Crowds gathered at a nearby park to leave flowers and handwritten messages in remembrance of the victims.
“May your spirits in heaven always keep the joy alive,” read one note. A 69-year-old resident, Ms. Wong, who lived in the estate for over four decades, quietly counted off friends and neighbors who had died.
“It was a grandmother with an 18-month-old baby… I was very close with them,” she told AFP.
Elsewhere, community centers were converted into “condolence points,” with dozens of people lining up in silence to sign condolence books.
“I can’t do anything. I can only hope they rest in peace,” said one man, while another wished that the deceased could “cross the sea of suffering and depart to the other side.”
City leader John Lee and senior officials observed three minutes of silence at government headquarters, where flags flew at half-mast.
During the mourning period, celebratory events are being canceled or postponed, and officials will limit non-essential public appearances.
Authorities said that as of Friday, 128 bodies had been confirmed, with around 200 people still missing.
Eighty-nine recovered bodies remain unidentified, prompting searches at hospitals and identification centers.
Some survivors, like Mr. Fung, are visiting the estate daily in search of missing relatives.
More than 40 people remain hospitalized, with 11 in critical condition.
On Friday, Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog arrested eight individuals in connection with the fire, adding to three earlier police arrests.
The fire, which engulfed seven of the eight high-rises in the estate, started on protective netting on the lower floors.
Preliminary investigations indicate that highly flammable foam boards and bamboo scaffolding helped the blaze spread.
Fire services chief Andy Yeung reported that all eight blocks had malfunctioning alarm systems, and contractors responsible will face scrutiny.
Residents said they had to alert neighbors themselves as no alarms sounded.
This fire is Hong Kong’s deadliest since 1948, when an explosion followed by fire killed at least 135 people.
While deadly fires were once common in the city’s densely populated areas, improved safety measures have made such tragedies increasingly rare. Security chief Chris Tang warned that a full investigation could take up to four weeks.
