Reporters and residents look at the scene of the disaster in front of "Wong Fu Court," an apartment complex in Tai Po, Hong Kong, where a major fire broke out on the 29th (local time). Yonhap News

Hong Kong authorities announced on the 30th that the death toll from the high-rise apartment fire in Hong Kong on the 26th (local time) has risen to 146.

According to Xinhua News Agency and the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), Hong Kong police announced at a 5 p.m. briefing on the same day that following further search of the apartment complex "Wong Fu Court" in Tai Po, northern Hong Kong, the death toll, which was 128 as of the previous day, increased to 146.

"We expect more bodies to be found," said a Hong Kong police official.

The number of injured remains 79, the same as the previous day.

While Hong Kong authorities reported 150 people unaccounted for the previous day, they stated on this day that about 40 people are still missing.

It was explained that contact has been made with 159 people who were initially reported missing, confirming their safety, and that 92 deceased and 37 injured were among the missing.

In addition, Hong Kong authorities announced that searches have been completed in four of the seven buildings affected by the fire, and the search operation for one building is ongoing.

A representative from the Hong Kong victim identification team stated that bodies were found inside the apartments, on staircases, and on rooftops, and that search teams are relying on headlamps and flashlights due to insufficient brightness even with natural light.

The fire broke out on the 26th at "Wong Fu Court," a 32-story residential high-rise apartment complex (lobby floor + 31 floors).

Of the eight buildings in the apartment complex, which houses about 2,000 households, seven caught fire and were extinguished after approximately 43 hours amidst unfavorable conditions such as dry weather and strong winds.

Yonhap News