'United in grief' Leeds leads vigil and prayers in memory of 128 people killed in Hong Kong fire

The service, which will be held in Cantonese and English, will take place at 4pm at St Barnabas Church in Alwoodley.

Prayers will be led by the Reverend Dave Ho Young, a Church of England priest with family in Hong Kong, who leads the congregation at St Barnabas where a number of people have settled in Leeds from the country have found a spiritual home.

Firefighters found dozens more bodies on Friday, taking the death toll to 128, with many still unaccounted for.

The apartment complex of eight 31-storey buildings in Tai Po district, a suburb near the border with mainland China, was built in the 1980s and had been undergoing a major renovation. It had almost 2,000 apartments and 4,800 residents.

Speaking ahead of the service Revd Ho Young, the Rector of Moor Allerton and Shadwell, said: "The tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district is the worst fire Hong Kong has experienced since 1948, with 128 fatalities confirmed so far.

“The whole of Hong Kong's community at home and abroad is shocked by this disaster.

“With many Hong Kongers having made their home in Leeds and across the UK in recent years, we stand with them and the whole of Hong Kong in their grief.

“Both Hong Kongers and locals from across the city are invited to attend and light a candle as remember those who have lost their lives, those who have lost loved ones and their homes, and those who are working to rescue and care for those affected.”

All are welcome to attend this vigil which is being attended by the Bishop of Kirkstall, the Rt Revd Arun Arora and supported by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen.

Bishop Arun said: “As we lament with those in Hong Kong over this tragic fire, this special service provides an opportunity we stand with them in prayer and solidarity and hope. In this country we are only too aware of the devastation and loss of such fires.”