Firefighting, rescue operations in HK residential area fire completed on Friday morning, says fire department

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has announced the completion of emergency operations in response to the residential complex fire.

Firefighting, search and rescue operations ended at 10:18 a.m. on Friday, local officials told a press conference.

The blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po has claimed 128 lives, according to the latest update on the death toll, said Chris Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Security of the HKSAR government.

Meanwhile, approximately 200 people remain unaccounted for, Tang said.

Hong Kong Police Force will conduct full evidence collection and investigation into the incident, which is expected to take three to four weeks, the security chief said.

A total of 391 fire engine sorties, 185 ambulance sorties and 2,311 fire and ambulance personnel were dispatched, said Andy Yeung Yan-kin, director of Fire Services of the HKSAR government. 

The Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has coordinated with Guangdong Province to provide assistance and support for relief efforts following the Tai Po fire in Hong Kong.

(With input from Xinhua)