The city's chief executive, John Lee, has mandated the establishment of an autonomous task force to examine the reasons of a tragic inferno that killed at least 151 individuals.
A Fire of Historic Proportions
Last Wednesday, the majority of the residential blocks at the estate—that was in the midst of extensive renovations—were consumed by a blaze. A probe subsequently revealed that construction site netting installed on the buildings did not comply with requirements for fire resistance.
A minimum of 13 people have been taken into custody over potential negligent homicide, comprising the senior figures of a contractor.
"Yes, it is a tragedy, it is a major blaze. Reform is necessary. Failures have been detected in multiple areas. This is precisely the reason we must act seriously to guarantee all these loopholes are plucked," stated the leader.
The Probe and Its Consequences
The inferno—advancing with speed both vertically and from building to building—was finally put out by Friday morning, around 40 hours after it ignited, and required more than 2,000 emergency responders to subdue.
The same day, officers commenced entry into the buildings to secure proof. Authorities say the inquiry could require approximately a month.
Shortcomings Uncovered
Several residents have stated they failed to hear a emergency siren when the incident broke out. Hong Kong's fire service discovered that alarms in each building were not working effectively.
The relevant regulatory body has put on hold construction activities on numerous private sites.
Demands for Probe and Detentions
Separately, police reportedly detained a 24-year-old man on charges related to sedition on the weekend. He was part of a collective demanding an independent inquiry into the blaze. An online petition gathered more than 10,000 endorsements in a very short time before its page was taken down.
Another two individuals, among them a former district councillor, were also taken in by police, per press accounts.
International Reaction
Amnesty International and Another watchdog have both condemned the reported arrests.
"This is the occasion for the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly and publicly probe the origins of the tragic incident...instead of suppressing those who raise appropriate concerns," remarked the group.
Background and Resident Profile
The residential complex was built in the early 1980s and had offered 1,984 apartments for some 4,600 occupants, per a recent official survey.
Nearly 40% of its residents are thought to be at least 65 years of age. A number have resided in the public housing complex since it was built.
Hong Kong's second-most fatal incident on file killed 176 people in the mid-20th century and was the result of a ground-floor explosion at a multi-story storage facility. The most deadly was at Happy Valley Racecourse in 1918, when in excess of 600 people died.
