LONDON – The death toll after a massive fire that destroyed several Hong Kong skyscrapers has risen to 146 people, Hong Kong police reported Sunday.
At a news conference, police said they are not ruling out the possibility of the death toll from the fire rising.
Police officers from the Disaster Victim Identification Unit (DVIU), dressed in white full-body protective gear, walk past the Wang Fuk Court housing blocks after the deadly Nov. 26 fire, in Hong Kong on Nov. 29, 2025.
Yan Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
With an “optimistic” estimate, the police added that the search and operations time is three to four weeks.
A woman prays before offering flowers outside the Wang Fuk court after the deadly fire on November 26 in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on November 29, 2025.
Philip Fong/AFP via Getty Images
The massive fire swept through Wang Fuk Court, a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. Within hours it was upgraded to alarm number 5, city officials said.
A girl places flowers in front of fire-damaged residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex to pay tribute to the victims, following a deadly fire, in Tai Po, Hong Kong, China, Nov. 30, 2025.
Tyrone Siu/Reuters
Three men associated with the construction company tasked with renovating the housing complex were arrested and were under investigation in connection with the fire, Hong Kong police said during a news conference Thursday morning.
Hong Kong authorities announced on Friday that there will be three days of mourning for the victims.
From November 29 to December 1, national flags will fly at half-mast and a three-minute minute of silence will be observed on November 29 at 8 a.m. Citizens will also have the opportunity to sign books of condolence for the victims.
“During this period, government officials will not attend non-essential public activities. All government-organized or funded entertainment and celebration activities will be canceled or postponed as appropriate,” officials said.
