Hong Kong tower blocks fire death toll rises to 128

At least 128 people are now known to have died in a devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong.

A further 79 people have been injured in the city's deadliest blaze in more than 70 years, which occurred in Tai Po on Wednesday. Dozens remain missing.

The Wang Fuk Court blocks had been undergoing renovations when the fire began. The cause remains unclear - but officials say that polystyrene and protective netting placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its spread.

Eight people were arrested on Friday on suspicion of corruption over the renovation works. Three other people were detained earlier on manslaughter charges.

Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census.

Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.

Hong Kong's deadliest fire on record killed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse.

Additional reporting by Martin Yip and Gemini Cheng in Hong Kong