Hong Kong fire death toll rises to 128 people, officials say

The death toll from the massive fire at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong rose to 128 as of Friday, as search and rescue efforts continued.

​The death toll from the massive fire at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong rose to 128 as of Friday, as search and rescue efforts continued.   

LONDON — The death toll from the massive fire at a residential apartment complex in Hong Kong rose to 128 as of Friday, as search and rescue efforts continued.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung announced the new death toll on Friday but warned that more bodies may still be found.

Three men associated with the construction firm in charge of the renovation at the housing complex have been arrested and are under investigation in connection with the fire, Hong Kong police said during a press conference early Thursday morning.

Police suspect the mesh used during the renovation was not up to standard, and the company installed a large amount of Styrofoam in the windows and the outer walls which acted as an accelerant once the fire began, police said. 

The mesh and the Styrofoam were found in the one building that wasn’t impacted by the fire, police said.

More than 140 fire engines and over 800 firefighters and paramedics were deployed on Wednesday to respond to the fire, with drones also in use, officials said.

Some 279 people have been reported missing, Hong Kong leader John Lee said during a press briefing earlier Thursday.

“The fire has resulted in many casualties, including a fireman who died in the line of duty,” Lee said in an earlier statement posted to social media. “I express my deep sadness and my deep condolences to the families of the dead and the injured.”

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences and sympathies to the victims’ families and those affected in a statement. 

He said he ordered authorities to “do everything possible to ensure search and rescue operations, medical treatment for the injured, and post-disaster relief, and to provide necessary assistance to relevant departments and local authorities to minimize casualties and losses.”

ABC News’ Karson Yiu, Ellie Kaufman, Will Gretsky and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.