The city's Chief Executive Orders Probe into Deadly Inferno that Claimed Lives of 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that claimed the lives of 151 people.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—were engulfed by fire. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 people have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a building firm.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—which spread quickly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated more than 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
That very day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could take several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
A number of occupants have said they were not alerted by a smoke detector when the fire started. Local firefighters determined that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to subversion on Saturday. He was among a group petitioning for an separate review into the blaze. An internet-based appeal collected in excess of 10,000 signatures in less than a day before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also detained by authorities, per press accounts.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the causes of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Historical Context and Demographics
Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had offered close to 2,000 units for around 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.
Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees died.
