Eight people were arrested on Friday in Hong Kong on suspicion of corruption during renovation works in several high-rise buildings, following a fire that claimed the lives of at least 128 individuals. Three others had been previously arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) announced that the investigation into the causes of the fire is ongoing. According to authorities, Friday’s arrests include directors of engineering companies and subcontractors responsible for scaffolding work.
Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, while investigators will now begin collecting evidence – a process expected to last three to four weeks.
The fire, the deadliest in Hong Kong in over 70 years, also injured 79 people, and hundreds remain missing.
