Officials report that 128 people have died in the Hong Kong fire

The number of fatalities from the devastating fire at a residential complex in Hong Kong has reached 128 as of Friday, authorities reported, while rescue teams continue searching the site.

Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Chris Tang Ping-keung, confirmed the updated death toll but cautioned that additional victims may still be discovered.

Three men linked to the construction company responsible for renovations at the building have been detained and are currently under investigation in connection with the fire, according to Hong Kong police at a Thursday morning press briefing.

Investigators believe that the mesh material used during renovation did not meet safety standards. Police noted that the company installed large amounts of Styrofoam in the windows and exterior walls, which acted as fuel once the fire ignited. Interestingly, the mesh and Styrofoam were also found in a nearby building that escaped the fire.

Over 140 fire engines and more than 800 firefighters and paramedics responded to the blaze on Wednesday, with drones assisting in search efforts, officials said.

PHOTO: Firefighters combat flames at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on November 27, 2025. (Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)

Missing Residents and Casualties

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee stated that approximately 279 people are still missing. He also noted that the fire claimed the life of a firefighter and caused numerous other casualties, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families affected.

Chinese President Xi Jinping conveyed his sympathies to victims and ordered authorities to ensure comprehensive search and rescue operations, medical aid for the injured, and post-disaster support to reduce further losses.

PHOTO: Smoke and flames rise from several apartment blocks at the Wang Fuk Court estate on November 26, 2025. (Yan Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

Report contributions by ABC News' Karson Yiu, Ellie Kaufman, Will Gretsky, and Joe Simonetti.

Author's Analysis: Fire Safety Failures in Hong Kong

The recent fire at Wang Fuk Court has highlighted critical lapses in construction safety enforcement. The confirmed death toll of 128 is a stark reminder of how inadequate materials, such as substandard mesh and Styrofoam, can rapidly turn a renovation into a lethal hazard.

The detention of three men from the renovation company indicates that authorities are treating potential negligence as a criminal matter. Investigators are focused on whether safety regulations were knowingly ignored, and this could set a precedent for accountability in future construction projects.

Despite the massive deployment of over 800 emergency personnel and advanced search tools like drones, approximately 279 residents remain missing. This underscores the challenges of urban firefighting in densely populated areas, where rapid fire spread can overwhelm even well-prepared teams.

International attention, including remarks from Chinese President Xi Jinping, stresses the importance of immediate support for victims and reinforces the need for stricter fire safety standards. The Wang Fuk Court incident should serve as a case study for regulatory authorities and construction companies across the region.

Sources:

• Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 128 people, officials say