00:00Hong Kong authorities said they had wrapped up their search and rescue operation for the deadly Wang Phuk Court Inferno.
00:08The death toll has risen to 128, and by the early hours of Friday, firefighters had largely contained the Inferno,
00:16which had burned since Wednesday afternoon, ripping through the housing complex in Tai Po District.
00:21Our firefighting operation is almost complete. Despite that, we are still carrying out firefighting operation to four individual units,
00:32and damping down to various units of the seven blocks are still in progress, so as to prevent the debris and embers from flaring up.
00:42And at the same time, we will endeavor to effect possible entry to all the units of the seven blocks concerned,
00:50so as to ensure that there are no other possible casualties.
00:55The estate had been undergoing renovation works and was wrapped in bamboo scaffolding and green mesh when the fire broke out.
01:01Authorities said most of the victims were found in two of the high-rise towers in the eight-block complex.
01:07Some survivors were rescued from several buildings, though officials did not provide further details.
01:14So many here to help, but I don't feel it's helpful and effective and functional and productive.
01:24And since from yesterday, I found many reminders.
01:28And then when I come out again, it's not a stress time.
01:31We came inside to identify many bodies and remind me to cover my face.
01:38Very, and some, maybe, some anger here, maybe ridiculous.
01:43Residents from a neighboring housing estate sought shelter in a nearby shopping mall on Thursday,
01:48fearing the flames would continue to spread.
01:51We almost had an old house.
01:54We didn't have any money on the land.
01:58We didn't even have any money on the land.
02:00We didn't even live to this place yet.
02:02Because I was also two or three of the friends that were here.
02:05But we only had any clothes on the ground.
02:08We didn't even have any clothes on the ground.
02:09We didn't even know what else to do.
02:11I don't know what to do later.
02:12I'm like...
02:14Across the city, people rallied to support displaced residents.
02:20Piles of donated clothes, blankets, shoes, and food
02:23were distributed at a donation point set up near the evacuation shelter.
02:27Police have arrested two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction,
02:46which was contracted to carry out maintenance works on the buildings.
02:50They are under investigation for manslaughter over allegations of using unsafe materials.
02:55Authorities said bidding documents, employee lists, 14 computers, and three mobile phones
03:02were seized during a raid on the company's office.
03:04The 40-year-old Wang Fook Court Complex comprises eight towers with nearly 2,000 apartments,
03:11home to about 4,800 residents.
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