The death toll from Wednesday’s massive fire at an eight-building residential complex in Hong Kong has risen to 128, including several firefighters, Security Minister Chris Tang announced.

Rescue teams continue searching for dozens still missing, after being unable to respond to 25 emergency calls from inside the compound, which contains more than 1,900 flats.

The blaze spread rapidly due to the bamboo external scaffolding, worsening both the human and material devastation.