The city's Leader Orders Probe into Fatal Inferno that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that safety scaffolding mesh installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. That is exactly why we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The blaze—advancing with speed both vertically and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they did not hear a smoke detector when the blaze broke out. Local firefighters found that alarms in every tower were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on suspicion of incitement on Saturday. He was part of a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a past council member, were also questioned by police, according to press accounts.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who pose valid inquiries," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had offered nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be at least 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.
The city's second-deadliest fire 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 sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals died.
