Hong Kong's deadly fire in decades cause one hundred sixty-one deaths
"Further forensic tests found the DNA of another person in one of the bodies, identified as belonging to a couple. This means the death toll has increased to 161," Police Commissioner Joe Chow Yat-ming said on Saturday after a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College, as stated by reports.
"DNA tests are being carried out. We do not rule out the possibility that other deceased people may be found and the death toll may rise," he added.
Authorities also confirmed that all six individuals previously listed as missing have now been accounted for. According to officials, five victims were initially confirmed dead as a direct result of the blaze, while another later succumbed to injuries in 2023.
In the aftermath of the disaster, police contacted approximately 100 households within the affected residential complex to collect DNA samples to assist with victim identification.
The fire, which raged for 43 hours in the Wang Fuk Court area of Tai Po, spread across seven residential towers containing more than 1,900 apartments, marking it as the territory’s worst fire in decades. At the time of the incident, all eight buildings in the complex were undergoing renovation and were wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and protective mesh, with polystyrene foam panels installed over windows.
Nearly 5,000 residents were displaced by the disaster. Earlier this week, authorities announced support measures that include an annual rental subsidy of HK$150,000 (US$19,278) for two years for affected flat owners. In addition, both homeowners and tenants were granted a one-time relocation payment of HK$50,000.
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