The city's Chief Executive Directs Probe into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
The city's leader, John Lee, has directed the formation of an separate inquiry panel to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the estate—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh surrounding the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for alleged culpable homicide, among them the directors of a building firm.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must respond rigorously to make certain all these deficiencies are addressed," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The blaze—which spread quickly both upwards and across the separate towers—was only fully doused by the end of the week, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to bring under control.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the investigation could last three to four weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have said they were not alerted by a emergency siren when the blaze erupted. Local firefighters found that warning systems in each building were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a individual on suspicion of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a group petitioning for an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also questioned by officers, as reported by local media reports.
International Reaction
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the local government to openly examine the origins of the catastrophic blaze...as opposed to silencing those who ask legitimate questions," remarked the group.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in 1983 and had offered close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 residents, according to a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its occupants are believed to be older than 65 years old. Some have lived in the subsidised housing estate since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record killed 176 individuals in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The deadliest was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 attendees perished.
