Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the estate—which was subject to significant upgrades—were engulfed by fire. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings failed to meet requirements for fire resistance.
No fewer than 13 people have been detained on suspicion of alleged culpable homicide, among them the senior figures of a construction company.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in various phases. Hence we must take decisive action to guarantee all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
Investigation and Aftermath
The fire—which spread quickly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the end of the week, some 40 hours after it started, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 fire service personnel to bring under control.
On that day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could take approximately a month.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have stated they failed to hear a smoke detector when the fire broke out. Local firefighters found that detection devices in all eight blocks were not working effectively.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Additionally, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective petitioning for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An digital signature drive amassed over 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its information was removed.
A pair of additional persons, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by officers, as reported by news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have both denounced the reported arrests.
"Now is the time for the local government to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had provided nearly two thousand flats for around 4,600 occupants, according to a population count.
Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be over 65 years old. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-deadliest fire on record killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The worst was at a local racetrack in 1918, when over 600 individuals lost their lives.
