The city's Leader Orders Probe into Deadly Fire that Killed 151
Hong Kong's leader, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that killed at least 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that protective netting used around the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
At least 13 individuals have been arrested for potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a building firm.
"It is a terrible tragedy, the fire was immense. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to contain.
On that day, police began entering the buildings to gather evidence. Officials state the investigation could last several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the blaze started. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were malfunctioning.
The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of subversion on Saturday. He was part of a group calling for an autonomous investigation into the blaze. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 supporters in a very short time before its contents were wiped.
A pair of additional persons, among them a past council member, were also taken in by officers, according to news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both condemned the said apprehensions.
"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...rather than suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," Amnesty International said.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had supplied nearly two thousand flats for approximately 4,600 residents, based on a recent official survey.
Almost four in ten of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. Several have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.
The city's second-most fatal incident on record killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees died.
