🔗 Share this article

Hong Kong's chief executive, John Lee, has directed the formation of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that took a minimum of 151 people.

A Blaze of Unprecedented Scale

This past Wednesday, seven of eight tower blocks at the housing complex—which was subject to major refurbishment—went up in flames. Authorities later discovered that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with flame retardant standards.

At least 13 suspects have been detained on suspicion of suspected manslaughter, among them the senior figures of a building firm.

"It is a terrible tragedy, it is a major blaze. Changes are required. Failures have been detected in various phases. This is precisely the reason we must respond rigorously to guarantee all these deficiencies are plucked," stated the leader.

Investigation and Aftermath

The inferno—which spread quickly both vertically and across the separate towers—was finally put out by Friday morning, some 40 hours after it began, and necessitated more than 2,000 fire service personnel to subdue.

On that day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Officials state the probe could last three to four weeks.

Shortcomings Uncovered

A number of occupants have said they failed to hear a emergency siren when the blaze broke out. Hong Kong's fire service found that warning systems in all eight blocks were operating inadequately.

The city's construction authority has temporarily suspended construction activities on 30 private projects.

Demands for Probe and Detentions

Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to incitement on Saturday. He was part of a gathering demanding an independent inquiry into the fire. An online petition gathered over 10,000 signatures in a very short time before its contents were wiped.

Two other people, comprising a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, as reported by news outlets.

Global Response

The human rights organization and Human Rights Watch have both criticised the reported arrests.

"This is the occasion for the city's officials to transparently investigate the origins of the tragic incident...rather than muzzling those who ask legitimate questions," stated the organization.

Background and Resident Profile

The housing estate was built in the early 1980s and had supplied 1,984 apartments for around 4,600 inhabitants, based on a recent official survey.

Almost four in ten of its inhabitants are thought to be at least 65 years old. A number have resided in the government-supported development since its construction.

The city's second-worst blaze on in history killed 176 lives in the mid-20th century and was triggered by a detonation at street level at a five-storey warehouse. The deadliest was at a sporting venue in the early 1900s, when over 600 attendees lost their lives.