Hong Kong high-rise fire toll rises to 128; over 200 still missing as inquiry begins

The death toll from the devastating high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to 128, with authorities confirming that more than 200 people are still missing as a full-scale inquiry into the tragedy begins. The massive blaze, which engulfed the upper floors of the residential tower earlier this week, has become one of the deadliest fire incidents in the city’s recent history. Emergency services continued round-the-clock search operations, recovering bodies and helping survivors trapped in debris-filled corridors and apartments. Hong Kong officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and pledged a transparent investigation to determine the cause of the fire, assess structural safety failures, and evaluate the emergency response timeline. Families of the missing have gathered at nearby shelters and hospitals, anxiously awaiting updates as investigators begin examining building materials, fire alarms, evacuation routes and eyewitness testimonies. Authorities have also vowed to review fire safety regulations for high-density housing, acknowledging rising concerns about overcrowded living conditions and ageing infrastructure. As the inquiry progresses, the city mourns the victims while calling for stronger reforms to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again.