Hong Kong Chief Executive Orders Investigation into Tragic Inferno that Took 151
The city's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to investigate the cause of a devastating fire that took a minimum of 151 individuals.
A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale
On Wednesday last week, seven of eight residential blocks at the housing complex—that was in the midst of major refurbishment—went up in flames. A probe subsequently revealed that protective netting surrounding the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.
A minimum of 13 individuals have been arrested for suspected manslaughter, among them the senior figures of a contractor.
"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Yes, we have identified failures in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to ensure that all these loopholes are eliminated," remarked Mr. Lee.
Investigation and Aftermath
The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and between the blocks—was only fully doused by the end of the week, around 40 hours after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 firefighters to subdue.
That very day, authorities started accessing the buildings to collect forensic material. Authorities say the inquiry could take several weeks.
Systemic Failures Identified
Several residents have stated they were not alerted by a fire alarm when the incident erupted. Hong Kong's fire service determined that detection devices in all eight blocks were malfunctioning.
The relevant regulatory body has put on hold construction activities on three dozen private developments.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, officers took into custody a individual on charges related to sedition on Saturday. He was among a group demanding an autonomous investigation into the fire. An digital signature drive gathered over 10,000 signatures in under 24 hours before its page was taken down.
A pair of additional persons, among them a ex-local representative, were also detained by officers, per news outlets.
Global Response
Amnesty International and The monitoring body have both criticised the said apprehensions.
"The moment has come for the local government to transparently investigate the reasons of the devastating fire...instead of suppressing those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.
Background and Resident Profile
The housing estate was constructed in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for approximately 4,600 occupants, per a population count.
Approximately 40 percent of its occupants are estimated to be at least 65 years of age. Some have been occupants of the government-supported development from its inception.
Hong Kong's second-worst blaze on record claimed 176 people in 1948 and was caused by a detonation at street level at a commercial building. The most deadly was at a sporting venue in 1918, when over 600 individuals perished.
