The final death toll from the devastating fire that ripped through a public housing complex in Hong Kong last November has been confirmed at 168, city authorities announced on Thursday—seven more than previously reported.
The inferno, which swept through the Wang Fuk Court estate in Tai Po District, now stands as the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980. Initial post-disaster figures had placed the number of victims at 161.
Confirming the completion of the identification process, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, said all victims had now been accounted for, with no persons missing.
“All remains and bodies recovered from the incident have been identified,” Tang said, describing the figure of 168 as the final death toll.
In deference to the wishes of grieving families, authorities said the names of the deceased would not be released at this stage. Police confirmed that all affected families have been formally notified.
The victims include 110 women and 58 men, ranging in age from just six months to 98 years. Among the dead were a firefighter, two interior decorators, five construction workers, and 10 migrant domestic workers.
The blaze engulfed seven of the estate’s eight residential towers, which were undergoing renovation at the time. The buildings were reportedly wrapped in substandard netting—an element authorities believe may have accelerated the rapid spread of the fire.
In response to the tragedy, the Hong Kong government has established an independent, judge-led committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
Police have also pledged to continue probing the cause of the fire and will submit a comprehensive death investigation report to the coroner.
City leader John Lee revealed on Wednesday that police have arrested 16 individuals on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the incident, while an additional six have been detained over alleged fraud-related offences.
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has also arrested 14 people on suspicion of corrupt practices linked to the case.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek accountability for one of the city’s darkest tragedies in decades.
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