Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Deadly Inferno that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
At least 13 individuals have been taken into custody over alleged culpable homicide, including the executives of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these loopholes are addressed," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—that propagated rapidly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by the morning of Friday, around 40 hours after it began, and took more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could take several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they did not hear a emergency siren when the fire started. The city's fire department determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has temporarily suspended construction activities on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
Separately, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was part of a collective petitioning for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a ex-local representative, were also taken in by police, per local media reports.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the alleged detentions.
"This is the occasion for the city's officials to thoroughly and publicly probe the reasons of the tragic incident...as opposed to silencing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was built in 1983 and had provided nearly two thousand flats for some 4,600 inhabitants, based on a 2021 government census.
Nearly 40% of its residents are believed to be over 65 years of age. Several have resided in the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-deadliest fire on in history killed 176 people in 1948 and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The worst was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when over 600 people died.
