Hong Kong Leader Orders Probe into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 residents.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight tower blocks at the estate—which had been undergoing significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, including the directors of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. We have uncovered shortcomings in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these deficiencies are addressed," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—that propagated rapidly both upwards and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it ignited, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 emergency responders to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could require approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have reported they failed to hear a fire alarm when the fire started. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
The city's construction authority has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on suspicion of sedition on the weekend. He was involved with a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An digital signature drive collected more than 10,000 endorsements in less than a day before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, among them a past council member, were also taken in by officers, per press accounts.
International Reaction
The human rights organization and Another watchdog have both denounced the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the devastating fire...instead of silencing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was completed in 1983 and had offered nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a 2021 government census.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are thought to be at least 65 years old. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on file took 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The worst was at a sporting venue in 1918, when in excess of 600 individuals lost their lives.
