The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Fire that Claimed Lives of 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, including the executives of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could take three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the fire started. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in each building were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has put on hold works on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was among a collective calling for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed more than 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, per news outlets.
International Reaction
The rights group and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.
"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was completed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, based on a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.
