Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Probe into Deadly Fire that Took 151
Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a devastating fire that claimed the lives of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, the majority of the residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings fell short of flame retardant standards.
No fewer than 13 individuals have been detained on suspicion of potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.
"This is indeed a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Yes, we need reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. This is precisely the reason we must take decisive action to guarantee all these gaps are eliminated," he said.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—that propagated rapidly both vertically and from building to building—was not completely extinguished by the morning of Friday, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated in excess of 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
The same day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Officials state the probe could take three to four weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
A number of occupants have reported they failed to hear a smoke detector when the blaze erupted. The city's fire department discovered that alarms in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has put on hold works on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
In a related development, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was involved with a collective calling for an independent inquiry into the tragedy. An internet-based appeal gathered over 10,000 supporters in under 24 hours before its information was removed.
Two other people, including a past council member, were also taken in by officers, as reported by press accounts.
Global Response
The rights group and Human Rights Watch have both condemned the reported arrests.
"The moment has come for the city's officials to openly examine the origins of the devastating fire...rather than muzzling those who raise appropriate concerns," stated the organization.
Historical Context and Demographics
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had provided 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be over 65 years old. A number have lived in the public housing complex since its construction.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on in history killed 176 individuals in the mid-20th century and was the result of a blast on the lower level at a five-storey warehouse. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when more than 600 attendees perished.
