Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Deadly Blaze that Killed 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, the majority of the tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—went up in flames. Investigators have since found that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the executives of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated over 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could last several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire broke out. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in each building were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended works on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a individual on allegations of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering demanding an separate review into the blaze. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, including a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per news outlets.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both condemned the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the catastrophic blaze...rather than silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 occupants, based on a population count.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are thought to be older than 65 years of age. A number have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was triggered by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 people lost their lives.
