(MENAFN) The death toll from the devastating fire that broke out in a Hong Kong apartment complex on Wednesday has risen to 146, with around 150 people still unaccounted for, according to local reports. As the city grapples with its deadliest fire in decades, rescue operations entered their fifth day on Sunday, although authorities have stated that the fire in the Wang Fuk Court complex has now been largely contained.

In observance of the tragedy, Hong Kong began a three-day mourning period on Saturday to honor the victims. The fire, which also left 79 people injured, including 12 firefighters, has been described as one of the worst in the region's history. Among the injured, many were residents of the complex, which houses over 1,900 apartments and has a population of approximately 4,000.

According to authorities, the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered from the rubble, while efforts continue to locate the missing. The blaze, which erupted around midday on Wednesday, quickly spread due to bamboo scaffolding surrounding the complex, which was undergoing renovation. Authorities noted that the scaffolding, along with foam plastic materials covering the windows, played a major role in the rapid spread of the flames.

As of Friday, about 800 displaced residents were relocated to temporary accommodations such as hostels, hotels, and transitional housing. Police have detained several individuals in connection with the incident, including two directors and an engineering consultant from Prestige Construction & Engineering Company, who are under investigation for manslaughter.

The fire marked a grim milestone, as it prompted Hong Kong to issue a Level 5 fire alarm—the highest possible warning on the city’s scale—for the first time in 17 years. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, which has left a deep mark on the community.

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