Hong Kong Enters Official Mourning Period Following Deadly Fire

Hong Kong has begun a three-day official mourning period following a devastating fire that engulfed a residential complex, resulting in at least 128 fatalities, while many others remain unaccounted for.

The local authorities have described this tragedy as one of the worst disasters in the city's modern history, noting that the high population density exacerbated the loss of life.

With a population of approximately 7.5 million, Hong Kong has a density exceeding 7,100 people per square kilometer, a figure that triples in the most densely populated areas.

This incident is expected to spark widespread discussions regarding safety standards in residential buildings, particularly in light of the increasing risks associated with urban overcrowding.