Eight arrested after deadly Hong Kong fire left 128 dead amid alarm failures

Deadly Hong Kong Apartment Fire

Authorities in Hong Kong have confirmed that eight more people were arrested in connection with a massive apartment fire in Tai Po district that killed at least 128 residents. Officials also verified that the building’s fire alarm system had malfunctioned at the time of the blaze.

Faulty Fire Alarms and Investigation

According to Hong Kong fire officials, the alarms in the high-rise complex failed to activate properly during the incident, delaying the evacuation process and worsening the scale of the tragedy. The investigation indicates that maintenance lapses played a central role in the system’s failure.

Police have detained eight individuals, including building management staff and contractors responsible for fire safety equipment. Investigators are examining whether criminal negligence contributed to the deadly event.

Citywide Review of Safety Standards

In response to the disaster, the Hong Kong government has launched a citywide review of fire safety standards across residential towers. Urban planning authorities announced plans to inspect older buildings and enforce stricter maintenance checks to prevent similar failures.

“This tragedy has exposed serious gaps in our building safety oversight,” one official said during a press briefing.

The Tai Po fire now stands as one of the deadliest in Hong Kong’s modern history, raising urgent debates over the city’s building regulations and enforcement measures.

Author’s summary: Hong Kong police arrested eight people after a fatal Tai Po fire that killed 128, linked to faulty alarms and major lapses in building safety oversight.

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abc.net.au abc.net.au — 2025-11-28

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