The city's Leader Orders Investigation into Fatal Blaze that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an independent committee to investigate the cause of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the apartment buildings at the estate—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.
A minimum of 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, among them the directors of a construction company.
"This is indeed a tragedy, the fire was immense. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are plucked," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
The same day, police began entering the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the investigation could take several weeks.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Multiple inhabitants have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident erupted. Hong Kong's fire service found that alarms in every tower were operating inadequately.
Hong Kong's buildings department has halted for now works on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on suspicion of sedition on Saturday. He was among a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition gathered in excess of 10,000 endorsements in under 24 hours before its contents were wiped.
Another two individuals, comprising a former district councillor, were also questioned by officers, per local media reports.
International Reaction
The rights group and Another watchdog have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the Hong Kong authorities to openly examine the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of suppressing those who pose valid inquiries," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was completed in 1983 and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 residents, according to a population count.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. Some have lived in the public housing complex from its inception.
The city's second-worst blaze on file killed 176 lives in 1948 and was caused by a ground-floor explosion at a commercial building. The worst was at a local racetrack in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees perished.
