Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Fire that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
This past Wednesday, most of the residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, comprising the senior figures of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, approximately two days after it started, and required over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the investigation could require approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that warning systems in each building were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, officers took into custody a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also taken in by police, per local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 occupants, according to a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years old. Several have been occupants of the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
The city's second-most fatal incident on record took 176 people in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 people perished.