Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Fatal Inferno that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an independent committee to probe the origins of a catastrophic blaze that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were engulfed by fire. Investigators have since found that protective netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 suspects have been taken into custody over suspected manslaughter, comprising the executives of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. That is exactly why we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and from building to building—was only fully doused by the end of the week, approximately two days after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to contain.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the probe could require three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the fire broke out. Hong Kong's fire service determined that alarms in each building were operating inadequately.
The relevant regulatory body has halted for now works on 30 private projects.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Additionally, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, among them a former district councillor, were also detained by police, according to local media reports.
Global Response
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 occupants, per a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have resided in the subsidised housing estate since its construction.
The city's second-most fatal incident on in history took 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 attendees died.
