Hong Kong entered an official three-day mourning period Saturday, marked by a citywide moment of silence for the 128 people killed in one of the territory’s worst residential fires in decades.

Chief Executive John Lee stood with senior ministers and top civil servants for three minutes at 8 a.m., as the Chinese and Hong Kong flags flew at half-mast outside government headquarters.

Hours earlier, residents placed flowers near the blackened shell of Wang Fuk Court, the housing complex that burned for more than 40 hours. A handwritten note left at the site read, “May your spirits in heaven always keep the joy alive.”

Condolence points opened across the city for the public to sign books of remembrance.

Families continued searching hospitals and victim identification centers, hoping to locate loved ones. About 200 people remained listed as missing, and 89 bodies had yet to be identified.

Investigators widen probe

On Friday, the city’s anti-corruption watchdog arrested eight people in connection with the blaze, described as the world’s deadliest residential building fire since 1980.

Flames tore through the densely packed Tai Po estate on Wednesday afternoon, engulfing seven of its eight high-rises within minutes. Investigators said the cause remained under review, but early findings indicated the fire ignited on protective netting on a lower floor, spreading quickly through “highly flammable” foam boards and bamboo scaffolding.

Fire services chief Andy Yeung said alarm systems in all eight blocks were malfunctioning and vowed action against responsible contractors. Residents told AFP they never heard alarms and instead pounded on doors to warn neighbors.

A man surnamed Fung said he had returned daily to search for his 80-year-old mother-in-law. “She is always sleeping because she’s on antibiotics. There was no fire alarm, so she might not have known,” he said.

Authorities said those arrested included consultants, scaffolding subcontractors and a project middleman. Police earlier detained three men suspected of negligently leaving foam packaging at the site.

Hospitals strained as search continues

Dozens of victims remained hospitalized Friday, 11 in critical condition and 21 listed as serious. AFP journalists saw workers removing black body bags from the ruins while vehicles delivered remains to a mortuary in Sha Tin.

Security chief Chris Tang said investigators may find more bodies as they enter the towers for detailed examination. Police activated a specialist disaster victim identification system to help track the missing.

A woman surnamed Wong said she was searching for her sister-in-law and her twin. “We still cannot find them,” she said through tears. “We are going from hospital to hospital, hoping for good news.”

A 77-year-old eyewitness surnamed Mui recalled the blaze erupting in minutes. “One building went up in flames and it spread to two more in less than 15 minutes,” he said. “It was burning red. I shudder to think about it.”

Community mobilizes as shelters fill

The blaze was the deadliest in Hong Kong since 1948, when an explosion and subsequent fire killed at least 135 people. While major fires were once common in older districts, safety improvements had sharply reduced such tragedies.

Tang said the full investigation could take up to four weeks.

Authorities found temporary accommodation for about 800 people. Nine emergency shelters housed around 720 overnight.

Residents also mounted a large volunteer effort to support firefighters and displaced families. Donated clothes, food, and household supplies filled makeshift stations in a nearby public square, along with booths offering medical and psychological support.

Organizers eventually asked the public to pause donations, saying they had more than enough.