Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it started, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in every tower were malfunctioning.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, according to press accounts.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both criticised the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the tragic incident...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
The city's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when more than 600 attendees perished.
