Hong Kong Observes Official Mourning Following Deadly Fire

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

The local authorities have characterized this tragedy as one of the most severe disasters in the city's recent history, noting that the high population density exacerbated the loss of life.

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

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