Hong Kong mourns victims of devastating Tai Po fire

A memorial service was held by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday morning, which included a period of silence and the flying of flags at half-mast for the 128 victims of the deadly fire in Tai Po' Wang Fuk Court. The service marked the beginning of a three-day, citywide period of mourning.

The ceremony commenced with the raising of the national and regional flags, followed by their lowering and the holding of a three-minute period of silence. The ceremony was attended by representatives from central government and senior HKSAR officials. Dozens of residents gathered outside the East Wing Forecourt of government headquarters to join the tribute, some having waited since 7 am.

The officials later signed a book of condolence.

All national and regional flags on government buildings, including the government's offices outside Hong Kong, will fly at half-mast until Monday. During the mourning period, officials will be attending only essential public activities, with all entertainment and celebration events organized or funded by government canceled or postponed.

During the mourning period, locations have been made available in all 18 of Hong Kong's districts for members of the public to sign books of condolence.

The fire in the residential Wang Fuk Court, one of the deadliest in Hong Kong's history, burned for 43 hours from Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning, leaving 128 people, including one firefighter, dead, with some 200 people still missing including 89 bodies yet to be identified . Seventy-nine people, including 12 firefighters, were injured.

Rescue, investigation and relief work are ongoing.