Hong Kong Leader Orders Probe into Fatal Fire that Took 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives 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—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it began, and required in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the investigation could last several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a fire alarm when the fire erupted. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has put on hold works on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was among a group demanding an separate review into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed in excess of 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
Two other people, among them a ex-local representative, were also questioned by police, per local media reports.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to transparently investigate the causes of the tragic incident...as opposed to muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was constructed in 1983 and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, according to a 2021 government census.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are believed to be at least 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
The city's second-most fatal incident on in history claimed 176 individuals in 1948 and was the result of a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 people perished.
