Hong Kong Chief Executive Directs Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Killed 151

The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to probe the origins of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

On Wednesday last week, most of the apartment buildings at the Wang Fuk Court—which had been undergoing extensive renovations—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that safety scaffolding mesh used around the buildings did not comply with fire safety regulations.

At least 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the directors of a contractor.

"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a big fire. Yes, we need reform. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. Hence we must act seriously to make certain all these gaps are plucked," he said.

Investigation and Aftermath

The fire—advancing with speed both upwards and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, approximately two days after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

On that day, police began entering the buildings to collect forensic material. The government indicates the inquiry could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have reported they failed to hear a emergency siren when the fire erupted. The city's fire department found that detection devices in every tower were operating inadequately.

The relevant regulatory body has put on hold renovation projects on numerous private sites.

Calls for Inquiry and Arrests

Separately, authorities are said to have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations of subversion on the weekend. He was involved with a gathering calling for an autonomous investigation into the fire. An digital signature drive collected in excess of 10,000 supporters in less than a day before its contents were wiped.

A pair of additional persons, including a past council member, were also detained by officers, per local media reports.

Global Response

The human rights organization and The monitoring body have both criticised the alleged detentions.

"Now is the time for the city's officials to openly examine the causes of the tragic incident...rather than silencing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.

Background and Resident Profile

Wang Fuk Court was completed in the early 1980s and had supplied close to 2,000 units for some 4,600 occupants, per a population count.

Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be older than 65 years old. Some have resided in the subsidised housing estate from its inception.

The city's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was caused by a detonation at street level at a multi-story storage facility. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when in excess of 600 people died.