The number of people who died in a fire that blazed through a Hong Kong residential building on Wednesday has risen to at least 83, with another 279 people listed as missing, according to media reports.
Hong Kong's emergency services had handled 155 casualties since firefighting began, with 79 dying at the scene and four passing away in hospital, according to Reuters.
The number of missing people was listed as 279 by Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee on Thursday, but the figure had not been updated for 24 hours, Reuters reported in this story.
The Hong Kong Government also confirmed that three men arrested for manslaughter were responsible for a construction company that erected protective nets, tarpaulins and plastic sheets for maintenance.
“They are being detained for further enquiries. The New Territories North Regional Crime Unit is carrying out an investigation,” the Government said in a statement.
The fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po at 2:51 pm Hong Kong, on Wednesday (6:51 am GMT).
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the Police Force and the Fire Services Department had established a special task force to conduct a full investigation into the fire, with the findings to be submitted to the Coroner's Court for follow-up.
He said the Housing Bureau's independent review team would investigate whether the building's exterior wall protection materials met approved fire-retardant standards.
