China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will hold a series of mourning events to express profound sorrow for the victims in the residential area fire in Tai Po, HKSAR government announced on Friday.

The national flag and the HKSAR flag will be flown at half-mast at all government buildings and facilities across Hong Kong from Saturday to Monday, among other detailed arrangements.

During the three-day mourning period, principal HKSAR government officials will call off all non-essential public events. Meanwhile, all recreational and celebratory activities organized or funded by the HKSAR government will be either canceled or postponed depending on specific circumstances.

John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, will lead principal officials, non-official members of the Executive Council and civil servants in observing a three-minute silence at the HKSAR government headquarters at 8 a.m. on Saturday, paying tribute to the victims of the deadly blaze.

To enable the public to convey their condolences, the Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR government will set up condolence stations in all 18 districts of Hong Kong. People can sign condolence books at these stations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from Saturday to Monday.

The death toll from the residential fire that broke out on Wednesday has jumped to 128, the HKSAR government said on Friday.

(Cover: John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR (R), arrives at a press conference at government headquarters in HKSAR, China, November 27, 2025. /VCG)