Hong Kong blaze death toll reaches 45 as rescue operations continue

One of Hong Kong’s most deadly contemporary fires, which burned through several high-rise buildings at the Tai Po complex in the New Territories region, is currently being battled by firefighters for a second day.

As there were 55 fatalities, including one firefighter, according to authorities, three construction company executives were detained on suspicion of manslaughter. There are still 280 missing people, roughly.

The complex’s proximity to the continental border was causing thick smoke to continue to billow on Thursday at noon.

Seven out of eight buildings were affected by the fire, which started on Wednesday afternoon, with firefighters securing the top four towers. At least 71 people were hurt, primarily from burns and inhaling smoke, and the operation is scheduled to continue until evening.

Lawrence Lee waited for news about his wife, who had been stranded in their apartment. I called her on the phone to escape when the fire started. But once she left, the hallway and stairs were strewn with smoke and were dark, leaving her with the choice to return to the apartment, he said from a shelter.

On Wednesday, Winter and Sandy Chung, who successfully left, recalled seeing flying sparks while escaping. Winter Chung, age 75, told The Associated Press, “I couldn’t sleep the entire night.

Police detained two Prestige Construction &amp, Engineering Company directors and an engineering consultant. Senior Superintendent Eileen Chung remarked, “We have reason to believe that the construction company’s managers were grossly negligent.” Documents were seized as evidence during a search of the company’s office by authorities.

Investigators believe that non-compliant materials contributed to the fire’s quick spread. In the unaffected tower, police discovered highly flammable polystyrene foam that had been glued to windows. The fire started on construction netting and bamboo scaffolding outside a 32-story building, which was then accelerated by the windy weather.

Major renovations were taking place in the housing complex from the 1980s, which had about 4,800 residents, many of whom were elderly. 900 people were moved to temporary shelters, or “ask me”

All remodeled housing estates will now be subject to immediate safety inspections, according to Hong Kong leader John Lee. Xi Jinping, the president of China, expressed his condolences and called for efforts to reduce casualties.