Nation rallies in grief, support after Hong Kong fire

A task force to investigate possible corruption in the renovation project was also launched, following the police's arrest of three senior staff members of renovation company Prestige Construction and Engineering Co, for alleged manslaughter.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption, Hong Kong's anti-graft body, said it had arrested eight individuals in connection with the fire, including an engineering consultant, a scaffolding subcontractor, and an intermediary.

Authorities also met with industry representatives to discuss the phasing out of bamboo scaffolding, commonly used in building work in the city, in favor of metal alternatives.

Meanwhile, a nationwide inspection of fire hazards in high-rise residential and public buildings has been announced.

In a notice issued on Saturday, the Work Safety Committee of the State Council, China's Cabinet, instructed local governments to immediately carry out checks and fix problems in occupied residential towers, office buildings, hospitals and shopping complexes. The campaign aims to prevent accidents linked to renovation work, aging facilities and blocked evacuation routes, the committee said.