Hong Kong fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 168 people, local authorities announce
The final death toll from the disaster comes months after the fire tore through the towers at Wang Fuk Court. (Reuters: Maxim Shemetov)
In short:
The number of people killed in Hong Kong's deadly apartment complex blaze is 168, local authorities have announced.
The final death toll is seven more than previously announced and comes months after the disaster.
Authorities say all families have been notified and the names of those killed will not be released to respect the privacy of those grieving.
The devastating blaze that ripped through a Hong Kong housing complex in November killed 168 people, the city's security chief has confirmed, seven more than previously announced.
The blaze that destroyed much of the Tai Po District complex was the world's deadliest residential building blaze since 1980.
Authorities previously said in the aftermath of the disaster that they had identified 161 victims.
Announcing the completion of identification work on Thursday, Hong Kong time, security secretary Chris Tang said the number had risen to 168, a final toll.
"All remains and bodies from the incident have been identified" with nobody unaccounted for, he said.
The names of the deceased will not be released at this stage to respect their grieving families' wishes, Mr Tang added.
The deadly fire shocked Hong Kong and the world. (Reuters: Tyrone Siu)
All the families of the deceased have been notified, police said in a statement.
The deceased comprise 110 women and 58 men, aged between 6 months and 98 years.
They include a firefighter, two interior decorators, five construction workers and 10 migrant domestic workers.
The fire at the Wang Fuk Court complex engulfed seven out of eight residential towers, which were undergoing renovations and wrapped in substandard netting that may have contributed to its spread.
Authorities have formed a judge-led "independent committee" to investigate the blaze.
Police have said they will continue to probe the cause of the fire and submit a death investigation report to the coroner.
City leader John Lee said on Wednesday that police have arrested 16 on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the investigation, and a further six on suspicion of fraud.
Hong Kong's anti-graft watchdog has also arrested 14 on suspicion of corrupt practices, Mr Lee said.
AFP