Hong kong: Hong Kong police continue to search for evidence from the remains of a fire-damaged building. The authorities are ramping up their efforts to gather evidence from the remnants of a massive fire that engulfed a residential building several days ago. The tragic incident has resulted in a death toll of 146, with 40 individuals still reported missing.

According to Thai News Agency, Hong Kong police have completed their inspection of four out of the seven fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court apartments. Only one apartment survived the blaze, which erupted on the afternoon of November 26, 2015. The police discovered bodies of residents on the stairs and roof, indicating their attempts to escape the inferno. A senior police officer mentioned on Sunday that the search in the remaining buildings poses significant challenges and is expected to take weeks to complete.

Images released by the police depict officers clad in protective suits, masks, and hard hats, meticulously inspecting rooms with charred walls and burned furniture. They are seen navigating through floodwaters that continue to inundate the building. A considerable number of police officers have been deployed to the site early this morning to persist with their search operations. The cause of the fire, which broke out during renovations, is still under investigation. Eleven individuals have been arrested and are being interrogated over allegations of corruption and the use of unsafe materials.

The residential complex housed over 4,000 residents. More than 1,100 individuals have been relocated from evacuation centers to temporary accommodations, while an additional 680 are residing in youth hostels and hotels. The Hong Kong authorities are offering emergency cash assistance of HK$10,000 (approximately 41,160 baht) to each affected household. Furthermore, they are providing special assistance in reissuing essential documents such as identity cards, passports, and marriage certificates.