Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. Investigators have since found that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must act seriously to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it started, and took more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to gather evidence. The government indicates the inquiry could last approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the incident started. Local firefighters determined that alarms in each building were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was among a gathering petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by police, as reported by local media reports.
Global Response
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had provided 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. Some have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on file took 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals perished.