Hong Kong begins mourning period

HONG KONG:

An outpouring of grief swept Hong Kong on Saturday as thousands paid their respects and laid flowers for the 128 people killed in one of the city's deadliest fires, marking the start of an official, three-day mourning period.

People from across the city flocked to a small park near the charred shell of Wang Fuk Court, the residential complex that burned for more than 40 hours, to place white and yellow flowers and leave handwritten messages of remembrance.

The queue kept growing and by nightfall the area was filled with solemn mourners, many dressed in dark colours. A 69-year-old woman surnamed Wong, who lived in the estate for more than four decades, sat dazed nearby as she counted off a list of deceased neighbours and friends.

"It was a grandmother with a 18-month-old baby... I was very close with them," Wong told AFP, adding that many of the elderly homeowners had a tight bond.

"Yesterday it was confirmed they died."