The most recent balance points to 146 motorcycles, but authorities admit that this number could rise again.
The number of confirmed deaths in the fire that devastated a residential complex in Hong Kong last week has risen to 146 and the toll could get even worse, police said this Sunday.
“The death toll increased to 146 at 16:00 (08:00 in Lisbon). We cannot exclude the possibility of more fatalities,” a police representative, Tsang Shuk-yin, told the press.
Hong Kong observes the second day of mourning for the fire that consumed the Wang Fuk Court residential complex, in Tai Po, in the north of the city.
(07:00 in Lisbon) in the Wang Cheong House block and affected seven of the eight buildings. Preliminary investigations indicate that ofogo originated from the scaffolding protection net on the lower floors and spread rapidly vertically.
Highly flammable expanded polystyrene sheets, used to seal the openings and frames near the elevators, as well as the exterior tarpaulins that violated fire safety standards, made it easier for the flames to enter the apartments through the corridors.
Since Wednesday night, thousands of citizens, neighborhood groups, unions, churches and volunteers have mobilized spontaneously, raising millions of Hong Kong dollars and distributing water, food, clothing and temporary shelter.
The Government announced an initial fund of 300 million Hong Kong dollars (33.4 million euros) to help victims and affected people, which has now reached 800 million Hong Kong dollars (88.6 million euros).
The launch of an “inspection and rectification” campaign against fire risks in tall buildings was also announced.
According to the state channel CCTV on Saturday, this campaign will focus, in particular, on the exterior or interior renovation works of buildings that are still occupied and the use of flammable materials in the works and bamboo for scaffolding.
With Lusa
