The city's Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Tragic Blaze that Killed 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has ordered the creation of an separate inquiry panel to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
Last Wednesday, most of the tower blocks at the Wang Fuk Court—that was in the midst of 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.
No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the directors of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both upwards and between the blocks—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated over 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to gather evidence. Authorities say the probe could take approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have reported they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the fire broke out. Local firefighters found that warning systems in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has put on hold works on numerous private sites.
Calls for Inquiry and Arrests
In a related development, police reportedly detained a individual on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was involved with a gathering demanding an autonomous investigation into the tragedy. An digital signature drive gathered in excess of 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, including a past council member, were also taken in by officers, according to local media reports.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the said apprehensions.
"This is the occasion for the local government to transparently investigate the causes of the catastrophic blaze...instead of muzzling those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 occupants, according to a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be over 65 years of age. A number have been occupants of the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-worst blaze on in history took 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 people died.
