Prime Minister Lawrence Wong wrote to Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on 28 November about the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.
PM Wong said he was deeply saddened by the deaths from the fire. His thoughts were with the families who lost loved ones and those injured, including people hurt during rescue operations.
The letter sent condolences on behalf of Singapore’s Government, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement.
PM Wong said he was confident Hong Kong would overcome the tragedy. The city has shown resilience when facing hardship in the past.
Fire Kills 128 People at Tai Po Housing Complex
The fire started on the afternoon of 26 November at Wang Fuk Court, a housing complex in Tai Po.
It became one of Hong Kong’s deadliest fires in decades. Flames ripped through bamboo scaffolding and spread to seven residential blocks.
Massive clouds of smoke covered the Tai Po area as the fire consumed the buildings.
128 people died. Another 200 people remain missing.
A firefighter died while responding to the emergency.
Police Arrest Three Over Suspected Use of Substandard Materials
Hong Kong police arrested three men for suspected manslaughter.
The men include two directors and one engineering consultant from the construction firm that did recent maintenance work on the building.
Police said they believe the company was “grossly negligent.”
Investigators discovered the firm allegedly used substandard flammable materials during renovation work. These materials included polystyrene and non-fireproof mesh on the building’s exterior and windows.
The materials may have let the fire spread out of control across multiple buildings.
