The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Tragic Fire that Took 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting used around the buildings failed to meet fire safety regulations.
No fewer than 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. We have uncovered shortcomings in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both vertically and between the blocks—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. The government indicates the investigation could take three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire erupted. The city's fire department discovered that detection devices in every tower were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on 30 private projects.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of incitement on the weekend. He was part of a gathering calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, including a former district councillor, were also detained by officers, per news outlets.
Global Response
The rights group and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had supplied close to 2,000 units for approximately 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be older than 65 years of age. Several have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on record claimed 176 lives in 1948 and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 individuals died.
