The city's Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Deadly Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an independent committee to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 suspects have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Changes are required. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to make certain all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it ignited, and required over 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters discovered that detection devices in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a collective demanding an separate review into the tragedy. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its contents were wiped.
Two other people, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, as reported by press accounts.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was constructed in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 inhabitants, according to a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are believed to be over 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
The city's second-most fatal incident on in history claimed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.
