LOC10:32
07:32 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 27 (KUNA) -- The death toll in a devastating fire that engulfed seven residential buildings in Hong Kong rose to 44 and 279 others are missing, public broadcaster, Radio Television Hong Kong reported Thursday, citing Fire Services Department.
Of 62 people injured in the blaze that ripped through a Tai Po housing estate since Wednesday afternoon, 17 are in a critical condition in the hospital, according to the report.
Police arrested three men linked to a contractor carrying out renovation work at the estate on suspicion of manslaughter. The estate, with its eight blocks and around 2,000 flats, was under renovation.
The blaze at Wang Fuk Court began shortly before 3 p.m. local time (0700 am GMT) on Wednesday, the report said, adding that video footage from the scene showed bamboo scaffolding ablaze on a number of blocks and the area engulfed by thick plumes of smoke.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said early Thursday that the priority is to put out the blaze and rescue those trapped.
"Through the continuous hard work of firefighters, the situation at the scene was gradually brought under control. Up until now, the assessment of the director of fire services is that the department has sufficient manpower and ability to handle the fire," Lee told reporters. (end)
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