The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government ordered the removal of scaffolding used in all building maintenance projects across Hong Kong within three days for fire safety checks in the aftermath of the deadly fire in the housing complex Wang Fuk Court.

Removed materials will be returned to use after approval under new safety rubrics to be issued by the government next week, said Bernadette Linn, secretary for development of the HKSAR government.

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The blaze had claimed 159 lives by 2 p.m. on Wednesday, with 31 people still missing, the Hong Kong Police Force said at a press briefing earlier Wednesday. A total of 140 bodies had been identified, said the police, adding that the victims were aged between 1 and 97 years old.

The police have completed the sea

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