The balance of fire victims rises in Hong Kong, 83 people have lost their lives and 75 have been injured, 250 still missing.

The tragic number of fire victims at Hong Kong's residential complex is increasing as authorities now say 83 people have died and 75 have been injured.

The number of missing persons is also extremely high, so far at least 250.

At least one fireman has lost his life, and 11 others have been injured in efforts to extinguish the fires.

More than a day after fire broke out in the Tai Po area, authorities say it is “essentially under” because only a few fires have remained in the building.

Concretically, four of the eight buildings in the complex have been extinguished, and the extinction of fires is continuing on to three. The eighth building was not touched by fire.

The task of extinguishing the fire was extremely difficult because of the flammable materials and the heavy heat load in buildings.

Hundreds of people have moved to temporary shelters.

Meanwhile, the Authority's attention has focused on the causes of fire that remain unknown at present.

The residential complex was being renovated, and bamboo and networks, which were flammable, had been set up outside and seemed to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

Three head of the construction company have been arrested on suspicion of unintentional murder and “heavy care”. / TCH