Hong Kong is grappling with the aftermath of its deadliest apartment fire in decades, which started at the Wang Fuk Court complex on 26/11. The blaze, which began around 14h51 and raged for about 40 hours, engulfed 7 of the complex's 8 buildings, comprising some 2,000 units. Authorities confirm at least 128 fatalities and approximately 200 missing individuals, with officials warning the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue their search of each apartment.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced the start of a mourning period from 29/11 to commemorate the victims. Government headquarters and offices will fly flags at half-mast until 1/12.

During the three-day mourning period, non-essential public activities have been canceled. Residents can sign condolence books placed across the city's 18 districts, available daily from 9h to 21h. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, along with government officials, will observe a three-minute silence for the apartment fire victims at 8h today.

The scene of the fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Hong Kong on 28/11. *AFP*

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang stated that preliminary information suggests the fire originated from external safety netting on the lower floors of the building and rapidly spread upwards due to burning foam panels, affecting multiple levels. "High temperatures also caused the bamboo scaffolding and protective netting to ignite. Burning bamboo poles broke and fell, spreading the flames to other floors", he added.

The Wang Fuk Court apartment complex. *CNN*

Hong Kong authorities have arrested 11 individuals on suspicion of corruption and manslaughter related to the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex renovation project, valued at 330 million Hong Kong dollars (over 42 million USD).

Ngoc Anh (SCMP, AFP, Reuters)