The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Fatal Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, seven of eight apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a building firm.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could take several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire broke out. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on 30 private projects.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a young man on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also questioned by police, as reported by local media reports.
Global Response
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had provided close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 residents, per a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 people perished.
