The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Blaze that Claimed Lives of 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the tower blocks at the estate—which was subject to significant upgrades—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, including the directors of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the inquiry could require three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have reported they did not hear a fire alarm when the blaze broke out. The city's fire department determined that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on three dozen private developments.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition collected in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, per press accounts.
International Reaction
The rights group and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
Wang Fuk Court was completed in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 residents, per a population count.
Nearly 40% of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years of age. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.
