Inferno in Hong Kong: Unraveling the City's Deadliest Disaster in Seven Decades

A devastating fire engulfed high-rise residential towers in Hong Kong, marking the city's worst disaster in 70 years. With 83 confirmed dead and over 280 missing, firefighters continued battling to control the blaze. The incident triggered a criminal investigation amid suspicions of negligence and unsafe renovation practices.

Firefighters in Hong Kong faced an uphill battle for the second day as they struggled to control a massive blaze that engulfed seven high-rise residential towers, marking the city's deadliest disaster in seven decades.

By Thursday, the death toll had reached 83, with more than 280 people still missing, according to officials. In this tragic event, at least 76 individuals sustained injuries, including 15 in critical condition and 28 listed as serious.

Authorities have now launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the fire, which began the previous Wednesday. Preliminary findings suggest that flammable materials used in ongoing renovations exacerbated the spread of the flames.

(With inputs from agencies.)